NBA Trade Idea Sends Derrick White to Franchise with 3 Championships

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed the Celtics trade Derrick White and Baylor Scheierman to the Detroit Pistons for Jaden Ivey, a top-10 protected 2027 first-round pick and a top-five protected 2029 first-round pick.

"The Pistons are ready to win now, and White gets them closer to contention than Ivey does," Bailey wrote. "He's also proven throughout his time with the Celtics that he's capable of playing on or off the ball. Lineups with both him and Cade Cunningham can work offensively. And White's defense would fit right in with Detroit's gritty approach on that end.

"The asking price may seem steep, but White is one of the best two-way players in the league, there are decent protections on the picks and Detroit has already proven it's ready to start adding veterans."

White will make $28.1 million next season. He appeared in 76 games for the Celtics this season, averaging 16.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 44.2 percent from the field, 38.4 percent from 3 and 83.9 percent from the free-throw line. 

The 30-year-old White averaged 18.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists in the 2025 playoffs in 11 games against the Orlando Magic and Knicks. The Colorado product shot 46.3 percent overall, 38.5 percent from beyond the arc and 86.1 percent from the free-throw line. 

"For the Celtics, this beefs up the asset base for future trades or gives the team some swings on potential in a few years. Ivey is seven years younger than White," Bailey wrote. "And he showed plenty of potential with the Pistons before suffering his own season-ending injury earlier in 2024-25."

White has played for the San Antonio Spurs and Celtics. He has career averages of 13.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists.