Celtics deliver immediate response to Lakers and Warriors’ inquiry about Derrick White

NBA insider Brett Siegel said that more teams reached out about White than Brown, with Western Conference contenders showing the most interest in the veteran guard.

Siegel named the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors as the main teams interested in White. All three reportedly made official inquiries about possible deals.

“There just wasn’t really anything brewing on that front. You had multiple teams calling about Brown, even more teams calling about Derrick White, especially in the Western Conference.

“You can look up and down the list from teams like the Rockets, Warriors. I’m sure the Lakers probably made a call there. They’re always involved in those trade talks. But I do know that the Warriors and the Rockets were two teams that inquired about Derrick White and put out feelers to see what it would take to get him.”

Multiple first-round pick offers for White rejected by Celtics

Boston wasted no time in rejecting offers that included several first-round picks. The team made it clear early on that their asking price for White would be extremely high.

Even though the front office is open to listening to offers, they’ve made it known that only an extraordinary package would be enough to consider moving him.

“And the Celtics did have an offer on the table that involved multiple first round picks. They did not want to trade Derrick White. He’s a player that they viewed as untouchable just like Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum,” Siegel explained.

This stance highlights how much Boston values White, seeing him as a core part of their future rather than a trade chip during this period of change.

Boston sets high bar for White trade talks, drawing Rudy Gobert comparisons

Boston’s demands for White reportedly mirror the blockbuster package Minnesota gave up for Rudy Gobert. Unless a team comes close to matching that level of compensation, the Celtics have shown no interest in engaging.

“Again, untouchable in quotes because if you get a package like a Rudy Gobert type package that the Utah Jazz got a few years ago when you’re getting pretty much every team’s round pick and a young talent to build with, something that you have to consider,” Siegel added.

The deal that brought Gobert to Minnesota sent Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bolmaro, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt and four first-round picks – plus a pick swap – back to Utah.

That haul was one of the largest ever given up for a single player. Even years later, it remains the benchmark by which blockbuster trades are measured.

Boston’s price tag too steep for teams to meet

The Warriors, Lakers, and Rockets probably don’t have the assets needed to reach Boston’s asking price. Golden State are short on draft picks and their roster is not exactly young.

The Lakers are in a similar spot, lacking both young prospects and unprotected future picks. Houston has more room to work with but seems happy with the squad they’ve already put together.

With such a large gap between what Boston wants and what teams can offer, it looks likely White will stay put as the Celtics move forward with their rebuild.

Boston’s high demands have effectively kept him off the market, even though plenty of contenders remain interested.