Derrick White stays calm amid trade rumors

Jul 9, 2025 4:00 PM

In a recent conversation with NBC Sports Boston, Celtics guard Derrick White opened up about his experience over the summer.

Despite being frequently linked to various trade rumors since the Celtics’ season wrapped up, White remained composed and didn’t let the speculation unsettle him.

He explained, “I think every summer is pretty crazy, especially nowadays,” highlighting how the off-season often brings a whirlwind of activity for players.

However, White emphasized that he stayed calm throughout the period, saying, “But I didn’t feel too worried about anything. My agent and (Celtics president of basketball operations) Brad (Stevens) had been talking and all the other rumors and stuff, I wasn’t really too worried about.”

This shows his confidence in the communication lines between himself, his agent, and the Celtics’ front office, which helped ease his mind despite the buzz.

White also expressed a clear desire to continue his journey with the Celtics, sharing that he was pleased to remain with the team.

He reflected, “I mean, I feel like it’s cool to be wanted by other teams, but I wanted to stay in Boston, and I was glad they wanted to keep me.”

This statement reveals both his appreciation for the recognition from other franchises and his loyalty to Boston, where he feels valued.

On another note, White addressed the emotional challenge of seeing key teammates like Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kornet depart the Celtics during the summer.

He acknowledged, “It’s always tough to see guys leave, especially people that you won a championship with and had so many great battles with.”

The impact of these departures was clear when he added, “Obviously, seeing KP and Jrue get traded, it was tough to see. And then Luke (Kornet) signs somewhere else.”

While recognizing that roster changes are part of the business side of basketball, White remains optimistic about the team’s future.

He said, “Having a different team and having those guys leave is kind of difficult, but it’s part of the business and I’m confident the guys that we have coming in and the guys that we still have returning.”

He looks forward to the challenges ahead with a positive mindset, concluding, “So, it’s gonna be a lot of fun, and it’s gonna be a different challenge, but I think that’s just the great thing about basketball.”