The Minnesota Timberwolves are among the teams monitoring the Boston Celtics’ offseason plans, and league sources indicate Derrick White has become a player of significant interest as trade discussions begin to take shape around the league.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Minnesota has “strong interest” in White as the franchise evaluates alternatives after its pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo appears to have cooled. Amick reported that the Timberwolves are not alone in tracking Boston’s roster, with several teams waiting to see whether the Celtics make major changes following another successful regular season.
White’s name has surfaced amid broader speculation surrounding Boston’s potential involvement in Antetokounmpo trade scenarios. While league reporting has consistently indicated that Jayson Tatum remains the organization’s cornerstone, rival executives continue to monitor the availability of other veteran contributors if the Celtics decide to reshape parts of their roster.
The interest from Minnesota is understandable given White’s profile. The 31-year-old guard started all 77 games he played during the 2025-26 season and averaged 16.5 points, 5.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.3 blocks in 34.1 minutes per game. His versatility on both ends of the floor has made him one of the league’s most valuable complementary players.
Although White’s shooting percentages dipped to 39.4% from the field and 32.7% from three-point range, he remained a highly impactful defender and secondary playmaker. His 2.4 combined steals and blocks per game highlighted the disruptive defensive presence that helped Boston finish 56-26 and secure the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
For Minnesota, White would fit alongside an established core that already includes Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels. The Timberwolves finished 49-33 and sixth in the Western Conference before advancing to the conference semifinals, where they were eliminated by the eventual Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs in six games.
Whether White ultimately becomes available remains unclear. Boston relied heavily on him during a season in which Tatum appeared in only 16 games, and White’s contract remains team-friendly relative to his production. He is entering the second season of a four-year, $118 million deal that includes a player option in the final year.
