LA Clippers among three teams tipped to trade for Boston Celtics star Derrick White

Mavericks, Clippers, Lakers all possible suitors for White

Aside from the Los Angeles Clippers, the three teams listed as Derrick White’s suitors could use some defensive help.

The Dallas Mavericks are working on building a defensive identity, and a core of White, Cooper Flagg, and Anthony Davis would certainly put them in the right direction. 

However, if the Celtics make White available, expect more than just Dallas to place a call.

“We both like Dallas,” said CBS’s Sam Quinn. “I think the Clippers make a lot of sense.

“What about Austin Reaves for Derrick White?”, he added, referencing a possible LA Lakers move.

In a possible deal, the main goal for Boston is to cut costs. The Clippers could offer Bogdan Bogdanovic, Drew Eubanks, and draft capital, saving Boston eight million next season.

While the Lakers, as Quinn pointed out, could offer Austin Reaves in a deal, it’s hard to build a trade where the Celtics save money, which is critical.

Between Klay Thompson, Brandon Williams, and Caleb Martin, the Mavericks, like the Lakers, can match White’s salary but not save Boston any cash next season, putting them over the apron if that’s the only move they make.

Holiday, Porzingis, Luke Kornet, and Sam Hauser are also viable trade candidates and are seemingly more realistic than White.

Boston Celtics shouldn’t trade Derrick White

Barring a very shocking move, the Celtics will keep their core of Tatum and Brown in Boston. Both are under contract for at least the next four years, and White, unlike Holiday and Porzingis, has four seasons on his contract and fits Boston’s timeline.

If the Celtics take an off year while Tatum recovers, White is the only member of the core, alongside Brown, who could reasonably be expected to remain elite on both ends of the ball after the gap year is over.

While White commands more value than Holiday or Porzingis, Boston is, again, not concerned with draft picks or adding a star; they simply want to cut salary.

Holiday and Porzingis will both make more than White next season, and if they cut ties with either of those players, they will have the financial flexibility to keep an elite core around Brown and Tatum moving forward.