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Analyzing Celtics Veteran’s Increased Role Heading into 2025-26

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports | By Mack Baltes | Last updated Oct 17, 2025 8:31 AM ET

The Boston Celtics have undergone plenty of changes in the 2025 offseason. The impetus behind multiple decisions was the knowledge that they’ll likely be without Jayson Tatum for the majority of the season, if not the full year. Even so, some of their moves involved trading away key pieces of the 2023-24 championship squad.

Kristaps Porzingis was traded to the Atlanta Hawks to shed salary. Jrue Holiday was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers to cut costs and acquire young talent. Boston’s new direction also led to them failing to re-sign important free agents. Al Horford and Luke Kornet, now in the Western Conference, were the best examples of this.

Analyzing Celtics’ Derrick White’s Increased Role Heading Into 2025-26

As a result of their injuries, trades, and lack of free agent activity, the Celtics have plenty of open opportunities heading into the 2025-26 season. 26-year-old Neemias Queta will see himself in an expanded role, becoming the team’s starting center after recent departures. 2024-25 Sixth Man of the Year, Payton Pritchard, is likely to see more shots and become a starter. Their headlining return in the Holiday trade, Anfernee Simons will also be involved in the offense. However, it may be Derrick White who thrives the most in an increased role.

Already Exceeding Expectations

White has exceeded expectations since the Celtics acquired him from the San Antonio Spurs in 2022.

Apr 11, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Derrick White (4) blocks the shot of Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) during the third quarter at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

With the Spurs, he was already a respected defender but he has taken off in Boston, where his talents can be more appreciated because of the franchise’s status as a perennial playoff team. In three-plus seasons, he’s earned two All-Defensive Second Team selections (2022-23, 2023-24). He’s also had two top-10 finishes in Defensive Player of the Year voting (2023-24, 2024-25), with his best finish being eighth overall.

That being said, White’s offense has been on the rise as well. In 2024-25, he averaged a career-high 16.4 points per game while shooting an impressive 38.4% from 3 on 9.1 attempts per game. He even shot a career-high on 2-point field goals, at 59.3%. After calls for him to make last season’s All-Star roster, White has continued to show All-Star capabilities in the 2025-26 preseason. In three games, he’s scored 65 total points (21.7 points per contest). In the Celtics’ preseason finale against the Toronto Raptors, offered a complete performance with 33 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four blocks.

Passing Improvements

Next season, White will be expected to score more while continuing to defend at a high level. However, he should also take the largest jump as a passer. After eight seasons, White’s career-high is 5.2 assists per game. With the Celtics, he’s averaged 4.5 assists per game. With the ball in his hands more next season, expect that number to rise.

Without Holiday and Tatum, the hybrid guard will be tasked with bringing the ball up the floor much more often, giving him plenty of opportunities to run the offense as a distributor. In fact, in the 2025-26 preseason, White racked up 21 total assists (7.0 per game). His best passing display came against the Memphis Grizzlies, when he recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 assists.

The Last Word On Derrick White

The floor is open for White next season. Already one of the best two-way players in basketball, he’s in prime position to improve on his scoring and playmaking. Expect the 31-year-old to make impact plays on defense, shoot a high percentage, and find his teammates off the dribble.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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