10:11pm: The trade is now official, according to a press release from the Celtics. White heads to Boston, while the Spurs acquire Richardson, Langford, the Celtics’ 2022 first-round pick (top-four protected), and the conditional right to swap first-round picks with Boston in 2028.
12:40pm: The Celtics are trading Josh Richardson to the Spurs in a deal for Derrick White, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Sources tell Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter) that the Celtics are including a first-round pick in the trade. That pick will be Boston’s top-four protected 2022 first-rounder, a source tells Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe (Twitter link).
Himmelsbach tweets that Romeo Langford will also be headed to San Antonio. In addition, the Spurs will have the ability swap 2028 first-round picks with Boston, sources tell ESPN’s Zach Lowe (Twitter link).
White, now in his fifth season, is averaging 14.4 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, and 0.9 BPG through 49 games (30.3 MPG). The 27-year-old is also one of the NBA’s best perimeter defenders. White’s big weakness is an inconsistent outside shot, shooting just 31.4% from three-point range.
However, he’s a good finisher inside the arc, making 51.9% of his two-pointers and 86.9% of his free throws, both very respectable for a guard. He’s also a heady passer and driver on top of being a premier defender. White’s addition further bolster’s Boston’s third-ranked defense, and the team will become an absolute menace on that end of the court.
White makes $15.2MM this season and is under contract through 2024/25, making him a potentially long-term addition as president Brad Stevens builds the roster around stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Boston currently sits at 30-25 after winning six straight, No. 7 in the East.
As Keith Smith of Spotrac tweets, the Celtics plan to absorb White’s contract into their Evan Fournier traded player exception, which is worth $17.1MM. Doing so will create a new TPE worth $11.2MM for Richardson. Smith notes that could change, pending other moves, but that’s the plan for now. John Hollinger of The Athletic first reported that creating a new TPE for Richardson was a possibility (via Twitter).
San Antonio obtains a stunning array of assets for White. I value him highly and think the Celtics have improved significantly in the short-term, but they gave up an awful lot to get him. The first-round pick this season is almost certain to convey, and depending on how the rest of this season plays out, there’s even a chance it could be a late lottery pick, although Boston has played outstanding basketball since the start of January. The 2028 pick swap could also be very valuable, but that’s far down the line and foolish to speculate about at this juncture.
Richardson, 28, was in his first season with Boston after being acquired via trade in the offseason. The 40th overall pick of the 2015 draft by Miami, Richardson had been a valuable two-way contributor for the Heat before being traded multiple times the past few years, spending the 2019/20 season with the Sixers and last season with the Mavs. He’d been a bit disappointing for both of those clubs, but is performing well this season, averaging 9.7 PPG, 2.8 RPG, and 1.5 APG on .443/.397/.859 shooting in a reserve role (44 games, 24.7 MPG).
San Antonio also gets a buy-low candidate in Langford, the 14th overall pick of the 2019 draft. Still just 22, Langford was a highly touted prospect who struggled to break Boston’s rotation. Now in his third season, he’s averaging 4.7 PPG and 2.4 RPG through 44 games (16.5 MPG). As a third-year former first-round pick, Langford is eligible for a rookie scale extension this summer, although it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Spurs take a wait-and-see approach, as they’d still hold his rights as a restricted free agent in the summer of 2023.
Ok, now I hope they trade Schroeder for wing depth
Schroeder has little trade value. Let’s see.
White contract 4 year $68 million
White FG%
overall 42.6%
3pt % 31.4%
White 3pts/100 – 8.4
Richardson – 7.1
White Usage Rate – 20.7
Richardson – 16.7
White Assist% – 25.2
Richardson – 9.0
Okay that’s a nice move by both.
Steep price to pay for white
Not really. Richardson isn’t that good. Langford sucks and how good would that draft pick probably would’ve been another bum like Langford or Nehsmith.
Jury is still out on Nesmith.
Stevens doesn’t value draft picks because he has no ability to develop young players. He made moves as if he’s tweaking a championship roster. The Celtics recent success is fool’s gold. Since January 1st, their best win came at home against the Hornets who were without Hayward. He’s as bad a GM as he was a coach.
I agree 100%. That said, under the circumstances, the Cs did get better. Richardson was overrated and White seems underrated by the Boston media.
Say what? Crazy! You must have some grudge. I can’t figure out what the heck you’re seeing.
Brad Stevens was a very good coach! Built a team with nothing! Made IT into a star. Took us to the Finals two or three times. Developed youngsters Jason Tatum, Jaylen Brown, TimeLord and Grant Williams.
Hope you watched tonight’s game! President Stevens knows what he’s doing! Said Derrick White was just what Celts needed & it proved true already.
White would be a good backup ……..
saw the same comment on celtics blog. This price isn’t all that steep. Romeo could develop into a nice role player and richardson has had a decent bounce back year but White is a clear upgrade. Even with the first rounder this isn’t an overpay at all
Celtics gonna win the chip!
Ya chocolate chips
The teams still a real pg away and their still stuck with the me, me, me guy (Smart)
Not really…pretty much all their starters can bring the ball up on their own. A “true” pg also wouldn’t fit as they’d be competing with Smart and Tatum as the leader anyway.
They have issues but this isn’t one of them.
Get real dude . Not when they have a 6’6 center out there . Midget ball at it’s best . They are lucky Horford is still there . Celtics are not winning anything. Just chocolate chips like case7187 said
Bucks should trade for Dennis now
Yessir!
WTF are the spurs doing???
1st round pick for a guy they’re not going to re-sign. Maybe the market for White was slim. I cam see Richardson getting flipped again to maybe Utah or Lakers
Dude is on an excellent cost controlled contract, and will be THE perfect pairing with Tatum/brown. Thst pick will end up being late teens not lottery
Romeo is garbage.
I like this for them! It’s a win-win deal: Celtics get the kind of impact point guard they wanted in Schroder, while the Spurs get a high-upside player in Langford and a solid wing in Richardson. But what got them is the pick: add that first-rounder and it’s a no-brainer for SA.
Something they should’ve done a long time ago
I haven’t watched Derrick White play much but this does seem like quite a bit of an overpay for someone that likely gives you comparable production as Richardson.
Between this trade and sending out Bol/Dozier earlier they now have three open roster spots so something else has to be happening. Hopefully it isn’t a Marcus Smart deal.
Boston created another 11M TPE with this deal.
Richardson isn’t a point guard. They desperately need a solid point guard. The draft pick is overrated because Boston has drafted so many bums in the first round, Langford being one of them.
Not to nitpick:
Brown
Smart,
Robert Williams III
Grant Williams
Tatum
These guys are bums? Langford and Nesmith are probably bums, but I would say they are 50/50 on picks in the 1st round recently.
Brown and Tatum were drafted third overall. That is the only time they get really good players. Grant Williams is okay and Robert Williams is decent but there is way more misses than hits. Its funny that Bane turned out to be the best guy they drafted last year and they gave him away….
Boston’s bums-to-draft-picks ratio has been a bit overblown by the sheer amount of additional picks they’ve made in recent years compared to other teams. Danny hoarded to many picks then come draft time had to use them all but let’s not overlook the fact that he drafted a starting five in Smart/Brown/Tatum/Gwill/Rwill that could compete with any team.
How have they competed with any team lmao tell me what that group has won?
Since the start of the new year they’re 1st in Net Rating,1st in Defensive Rating and 1st in Opponents eFG% and that has mostly conincided with having their core four of Smart/Brown/Tatum/Rwill all healthy. You might want to start paying attention,this team’s play on the court looks like the exact opposite of how they looked/played just a few months back.
You didn’t answer my question, I asked what this group has won.
Smart is a sg/pg. G Williams is a sf. R Williams is a pf. Enough of midget basketball
White is giving you way more production that richardson.
I hope so, Richardson has been playing great for them. I’m curious to see who the next move is for.
White is a Top 50 player. They don’t grow on trees. Ime system took a little time to start working but is now. The Celtics added two players that know how to play the right way. With 5 open roster spots we can add some vets that have been playing Covid. Moses Brown Bembry and Nader are out there now.
White would be a god backup . Celtics are going nowhere
Great get for the Celtics!
White >>> Richardson
White is better at passing, is a great FT shooter, is an improving 3pt shooter with his increasing 3pt attempts per 100 over the past two seasons, and for a guard is a good shot blocker. They gave up another draft pick however.
Overall, this is a improvement for the Cs.
Don’t forget the charges he takes. Seen my man draw 5 charges in a game, any team can use that
That’s not a good thing. Hustle and grit will get you hurt or gassed in an 82-game season. The NBA regular season is trending towards that of the NHL’s. Hustle and defense will come into play in the playoffs. The Bucks were the first team to win a championship as a lower than 2 seed since the Rockets in 1995. Smart teams will realize this and will care less for seeding.
Great pick up!
Langford too? That leaves us with only the jays and nesmith at the wings (and 3 roster spots). Unless something else is in the works, It is a risky move
What will they do without his 3.2ppg? Lol
Sorry to see Langford go just as he comes into his own. But we won’t miss him as he wasn’t in our top 8 guys.
Langford was the worst pick in the Danny era. It was symbolic of laziness and stupidity from the scouting department. Poole was the pick.
Seems like a slight overpay. Langford could end up being a steal if he actually gets the playing time required to develop his game.
Agreed, if Romeo gets some decent playing time in SA, think he could flourish. Celtics always tried to make him a 3 and D guy, where the 3 just wasn’t consistent enough.
It’s what the Celtics needed! Maybe Smart is on the trading block now!
They have to be trading Schroeder somewhere now
Celtics got Richardson using a trade exception and Moses Brown, so turning him, a pick, and rarely available Romeo Langford into White is a great return.
Also Richardson is an anti-vaxxer so maybe the Celtics didn’t like that either.
He played in Brooklyn just the other night, so…
Out of towner can play
Seems like the Celtics need to deal Schroeder now, right? Not much time left but I feel like it must be happening
B-TTHOLE TRADE GRADES
Boston: B-
Richardson and Langford are kind of sunk costs, I guess. So this is their 1st this year and a future swap for White. It seems to me like this should be a precursor to a Smart trade … does Boston really need TWO perimeter defenders who can’t shoot around J&J? Ultimately though, this one is TBD – if Boston misses the playoffs and gives a mid-lottery pick to SAS knock this grade down a letter.
SAS: C+
Knock this up a letter if the pick ends in the lottery. SAS develops guys like other so Langford has more value for them than Boston. Having said that I’m not optimistic about him, even in SA.
In no world does Boston miss the playoffs this year. I also don’t agree that this has any connection to dealing Smart. They are doubling down on their defensive identity that has allowed them to finally turn a corner this year. If anything it likely means dealing Schroeder for a wing.
Probably not, but they’re likely going to be in the play in, at least. Celtics haven’t exactly been the model of consistency so I don’t think it’s a stretch to say there’s a chance they implode and end up with a late lottery pick that goes to SAS
Agree to disagree on the Smart angle. Defensive identity is great but someone needs to be able to knock down a 3 outside of the J’s (and even Tatum has struggled this year from deep).
Don’t tell Celtics fans they haven’t been a model of consistency. They’re all still living in 2008.
How could our Celtics have been consistent starting this season w a new Coach, a new system and 2 new starters & covid absences?
Going forward Celts won’t implode, just get better & more consistent. Especially with Derrick White a taller, better defender, more of a point guard than Dennis & a guy who I hear pushes the pace. Plus he’s shot better from three in the past. Once he gets comfy he’ll be great. Theis can shoot threes too. We may not go all the way but who knows. Maybe Stevens will make some more magic in the buy out phase too. Go Celtics!
I was just checking through this year’s Spurs stats and it looks like the White/Murray starting backcourt doesn’t look much different than a White/Smart one. That is assuming that both of White & Smart are starting. If White comes of the bench he seems like he’d pair well with Payton Pritchard’s shooting. Stevens needs to find a taker for Schroder before time runs out.
The 28 swap (unprotected ) should not be overlooked here as well
That’s a pretty nice feather to have lying around even if its so far out (especially since its so far out tbh)
This could go either way. I’ve never had a strong opinion on White, in part because he’s really never been given the keys to the team as its PG. SAS have so many guards, and Murray, by far the best of them, is a PG.
I don’t think the price is that high if he can be Boston’s starting PG, and leave others to compete only for backup minutes. If he becomes just another rotation piece, then it’s pretty high.
With all their moves, Boston worked hard to get under the salary cap by a few million dollars but they now have 5 open roster spots to fill. How are they going to fill them and stay below the cap? I’m guessing one move will be to convert Sam Hauser’s two-way G League contract to a full time Boston contract, but I think that will cost additional money and they’ll need to sign at least 2 more players to get to the league minimum of 13. Are they really going to be able to find players who will take $500K to play a half season with Boston? They aren’t contenders so it’s doubtful that any decent buy-out candidate would want to come here. I guess they could add another G-League player and some stiff who was recently released, but I don’t see them filling all 5 of their open spots and staying below the cap.
With that said, I am excited to see what Sam Hauser can bring to the team. He has been lighting it up for the Maine Celtics this year, including shooting 40% from the 3-pt line; something Boston desperately needs. Also, I wonder if there’s any chance Boston could get Isaiah Thomas to come back for ‘minimum wage’? The fans would love seeing IT back in green. Brad Stevens still has a lot of work left to do in order to fill out their bench.
Trust in Brad Stevens!
They’re way over the cap. What they are straddling is the tax line. And there are lots of ways to fill those slots (eventually) with the space they have below it.
With all of these roster moves, Boston finally gets to bring Sam Hauser up from the G-League. He might become the best 3 pointer shooter on the team overnight. He’s shooting 40% from behind the line for Maine on the season and has been all around impressive. He’s someone to keep an eye on.
I hope they do bring Sam Hauser up. Love his 3-point shooting as well. He needs to learn & develop though as I’ve heard himself say. Like his humility too.
I always get bought white was basically the same player as smart, I don’t understand why they get him and keep smart
Celts could certainly use 2 Marcus Smarts!
Derrick White may flourish here with the Celtics & Coach Udoka who knows him. I’m impressed with his 5+ assists per game this year. He’s taller than Dennis, a better defender & a better assist man. Just what Celtics needed! This was a terrific move by Stevens!
Love Theis coming back as well. He screens well for Tatum drives. Stevens get an A+!
BOS needs to more on from Smart. This is a start.
Gotta give Boston a ton of props here at the deadline
Found a way to get better today and for future years
Slipped the 22 tax
And didn’t give up that much capital . Even showed a strong stomach for the 23 ledger today too boot
That’s A+ work there, they are my deadline winners per value this year
Spurs win this one