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Blockbuster NBA Trade Sets High Bar for Celtics Derrick White Price

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 11:02 PM ET

In the wake of the massive early offseason trade pulled off by the Magic and the Memphis Grizzlies over the weekend, which sent star guard Desmond Bane to Orlando for four first-round picks and a draft swap, plus Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony, one man who sure sat back with raised eyebrows was Brad Stevens of the Celtics.

"It's be really, really surprising if they'd trade Jaylen Brown," one NBA executive said. "But when you look at what Orlando just gave up for Bane? I think Brad would pretty quickly take that for Derrick White."

The Celtics might need to trade White because they're deep into the dreaded second apron of the NBA's luxury tax and need to shed salary to get out of it. Someone's got to go. If the Celtics could get a Bane-lite package for White, they'd have to pull the trigger.

Indeed, White and Bane are comparable players, with Bane clearly having more value. He is only 26, while White is 30, and Bane's averages of 19.2 points, 5.3 assists and 6.1 rebounds (48.4% shooting, 39.2% from the 3-point line) are better than White's (16.4, 4.8, 4.5, 44.2%/38.4%).

But Bane has had trouble staying healthy, and the contract owed to him ($163 million over the next four years) is a tougher burden than that of White (four years, $128 million).

On balance, then, the Celtics could not expect to get four first-rounders, a swap, and two very useful players for White. But they could get something close.

"They might have a harder time just because everyone knows they're up against it and they need to make a deal," the executive said. "But if you go by what the Grizzlies just got, Brad Stevens has to get a couple of players and two or three first-rounders for White. Or else you keep him."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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