The Celtics and Derrick White failed to come to terms on a contract extension before the October 23 deadline earlier this week, but that hasn’t altered the veteran guard’s outlook on his future in Boston.
White expressed his continued affection for the team, stating, “I love being here. Obviously, you got another year after this year. We’ll focus on it then. But I think (the talks) went well. I want to be here for a long time, so that hasn’t changed.”
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White’s existing contract, a four-year, $70 million agreement he signed with the San Antonio Spurs, remains in effect until the conclusion of the 2024-25 season. The Celtics and White are eligible to reinitiate extension discussions after the 2023-24 season concludes.
The Celtics acquired White from the Spurs just before the 2022 trade deadline, and he has since become an essential part of the team’s rotation, serving as a versatile guard who can both score and defend in multiple positions.
Last season, he maintained an average of 12.4 points per game, achieving a personal best of 38.1 percent in three-point shooting. Additionally, he earned a spot on the All-Defensive second team.
In the upcoming season, White is expected to frequently start in games, although Coach Joe Mazzulla is likely to experiment with various starting lineups.
The Boston Celtics boast strong depth at the point guard position, featuring White, Jrue Holiday, and Payton Pritchard on their roster.
White and the Celtics kick off the new season with a match against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night. For those interested, NBC Sports Boston will provide comprehensive coverage, commencing with Celtics Pregame Live at 6 p.m. ET.
