Derrick White. Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Celtics locking in championship core long-term

By Sean Keane | Last updated Jul 1, 2024 4:18 PM ET

The Celtics built a championship team around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Now they're locking their squad in for years, no matter what it costs.

Derrick White, a two-time All-Defensive team guard with the Celtics the last two seasons, signed a four-year extension to stay in Boston, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. White got richly rewarded for his contributions to the champs, getting the maximum amount the Celtics could pay him, plus a player option for the final year of the deal.

Boston Celtics guard Derrick White has agreed on a four-year, $125.9 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN. The deal includes a player option. Huge offseason priority for the champs. pic.twitter.com/eAMo9yf7oe
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2024

White's extension follows a similar four-year deal for his partner in the Celtics backcourt and the All-Defensive second team. In April, Jrue Holiday signed a four-year extension for similar money with the team. Now Holiday is signed through 2028, Brown is signed through 2029 and Tatum is widely expected to sign a five-year supermax extension this summer that will run through 2030 (noted recently by ESPN's Bobby Marks and The Boston Globe's Adam Himmselsbach).

Even buzzer-beater savant Payton Pritchard is locked up through 2028. This team is staying intact, but it's going to be very expensive. The Celtics will have five players making $30M or more beginning in 2025-26, with Brown and Tatum making over $50M.

Perhaps that's why the current owners are putting the team up for sale before the costs go way up.

BREAKING: The Boston Celtics majority ownership group — led by Wyc Grousbeck — is planning to make the franchise available for sale, sources tell ESPN. The investment group purchased the team in 2002. Massive development for one of sports’ most valuable properties. pic.twitter.com/ICixdcJtLF
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2024

The Celtics owners are giving the team every chance to become a dynasty. They're just going to have someone else foot the bill.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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