Should there be an extension on the table, Derrick White is completely open to hammer one with the Boston Celtics.
In his appearance on the NBA Today, White told ESPN’s Malika Andrews that he is willing to stick around the Celtics for a longer time as the experience has been great for him being in Beantown.
“I love being here in Boston. It’ll be cool to get an extension. I mean, we’ll see what happens during that window. But I love my time in Boston so far and my focus right now is just on the (next) season,” he said.
White still has two more years left in his four-year, $70MM contract. But should the Celtics desire, they may hand him a three-year extension to completely lock the guard to their long-term project starting in late September. This offseason, the club already made initial moves by extending Jaylen Brown to a five-year supermax extension for $304MM and also stretched their ties with Kristaps Porzingis for two more years worth approximately $60MM in amount.
The 29-year-old has been nothing but impressive in his first full season last 2022-23 for Boston. He was able to log 82 full regular season games (70 starts) and averaged 12.4 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.6 boards. White was also laser-focused from downtown by draining 38.1 percent of his shots from three.
Besides in the offense, he was also reliable at the defensive end which was highlighted by his All-Defensive Second Team inclusion. Despite possessing 6-foot-4 in height, he led the C’s in total blocks at 76.
As he is set to occupy the floor general position of the franchise in the wake of Marcus Smart’s transfer to the Memphis Grizzlies, White is nothing but excited and prepared for the major task he’ll take in maneuvering the Celtics offense.
Throughout last season, White was appointed to serve as the co-ball handler of Smart at the backcourt. Now, he has the full-time opportunity to control the rock under the directives of head coach Joe Mazzulla.
“With Smart leaving, there’s that point guard role that I only played a little bit last year,” White said. “I’m looking forward to it. Definitely have the ball in my hands, more as a playmaker role. I’m looking forward to grow with the team and get us in the right position each and every time.”
