Boston Celtics guard Derrick White says he is ready to shoulder more responsibility after a flurry of cost-cutting moves reshaped last season’s championship roster. Speaking with Sports Illustrated’s Liam McKeone, White acknowledged that the departures of Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday, Luke Kornet, and Al Horford were difficult but understandable given second-apron restrictions, luxury-tax pressure, and Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury.
“That’s the tough part about the business,” White said. “You wish we could play with them forever, but this is kind of the way it is. I’m just excited to play with the people we do have.”
Entering his fourth full year in Boston, the 30-year-old is expected to take on a larger leadership and scoring role. White averaged a career-best 16.4 points per game in 2024-25 while also receiving consideration for Defensive Player of the Year. “I’ve been attacking this offseason as, I gotta get better,” he added. “When we get back to Boston, it’ll be a lot of fun.”
Tatum’s Recovery Drawing Praise
Third-year forward Jordan Walsh told NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics Talk Podcast that Tatum is “well ahead of expectations” in his rehab. “I’ve seen him from when he messed up his Achilles to now, and it’s a big difference,” Walsh said. “He’s moving around way better.”
Trade Chips and Center Options
In a mailbag for MassLive, Brian Robb wrote that the $27.7 million contract of newly acquired guard Anfernee Simons represents Boston’s best avenue to land a starting center via trade. The club has accumulated several traded-player exceptions, but those are unlikely to be useful until next offseason if the Celtics aim to dip below the tax line.
If the roster remains unchanged, Robb expects Neemias Queta to get the first shot at the opening-night starting job. He added that forwards Chris Boucher and Luka Garza provide offensive skill sets that fit coach Joe Mazzulla’s system.
RJ Luis Honored in Ecuador
Rookie swingman RJ Luis, whose mother was born in Ecuador, received recognition from President Daniel Noboa for becoming the first Ecuadorian to reach the NBA. Luis joined Boston last month in a trade with the Utah Jazz.
Source: Hoops Rumors
