Jan 15, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) talks to guard Derrick White (9) during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

'You Wish You Could Play With Them Forever' – Boston Celtics Star Laments the Team’s Cost-Cutting Measures This Offseason

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Sep 5, 2025 7:07 AM ET

Because they were in the second apron, the Boston Celtics were forced to break up their championship-winning core by parting ways with Jrue Holiday , Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet, among others, this summer.

Derrick White recently opened up about how tough it is seeing his former teammates leave the Boston Celtics one by one during a recent interview with Sports Illustrated.

“Yeah, I mean, that is the tough part about the business. But it is a business at the end of the day. Jrue, KP, Luke (Kornet), all of them, it was definitely tough to see them leave,” White stated.

Jun 17, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) celebrates after beating the Dallas Mavericks in game five of the 2024 NBA Finals to win the NBA Championship at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

“You wish we could play with them forever, but this is kind of the way it is. I always wish them the best. There will be a lot of fun when we see them again. and I’m just excited to play with the people we do have,” he added.

Boston Celtics News: Derrick White is excited about assuming a bigger role this upcoming season

With most of their key players gone and Jayson Tatum sidelined by an Achilles injury, the Boston Celtics need a breakout campaign from Derrick White, and the one-time NBA champion is embracing the challenge.

Oct 22, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) reacts after shooting for three points against the New York Knicks in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

“I’m excited. It’s obviously a different year than last year, but I think we have the same expectations and standards,” White said.

“So I’ve been attacking this offseason as, ‘I gotta get better.’ It’s been really fun trying to get in the gym and improve on things that I need to work on. When we get back to Boston, it’ll be a lot of fun,” he added.