Derrick White shared the story of being traded from the Spurs to the Celtics as he launched his new “White Noise” podcast, relays Hayden Bird of The Boston Globe. White has become a fan favorite in Boston and played an important role in the 2024 championship, but he was wasn’t eager to leave San Antonio when the deal was reached at the 2022 deadline.
“Getting traded is never easy. I think it’s probably easier in the offseason, you kind of get time to relax and figure [things] out,” he said. “But getting traded in the season is one of the craziest things that I’ve had to deal with in my NBA career. You’re on a team, you’re committed to them, you’re trying to do everything you can to help them win games, and then one day they’re like, ‘All right, you’re on the Celtics.’ I was hurt, definitely, when [the Spurs] traded me.”
White reacted to the deal by “playing dominoes and drinking” in his hotel room with Spurs trainer and close friend Brandon Bowman. He recalls that several players and coaches joined them, giving White a sendoff party that nearly caused him to miss the flight that the Celtics set up for him. His feelings on Boston changed quickly as the home crowd gave him a standing ovation when he checked into his first game, making him feel like “this is where I’m supposed to be at.”
Also on the podcast, White reacted to the offseason losses of former teammates Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet.
There’s more from Boston:
- The Celtics are likely to keep a roster spot open throughout the season to hold down payroll, Brian Robb of MassLive states in a mailbag column. If they sign a veteran before the season begins, they have the option to waive Jordan Walsh, who only has a $200K guarantee on his $2.2MM salary until opening night, but Robb believes that’s less likely following his strong performance during Summer League.
- In an Instagram interview with The School of Hard Knockz, Jaylen Brown talked about relying on faith to handle the disappointments and high expectations that come with being a professional athlete (hat tip to Meadow Barrow of MassLive). “I’ve dealt with anxiety, even depression,” Brown said. “I’ve been to some very dark places, but I feel like those dark places have allowed my light to shine.”
- A group led by Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca has reached an agreement to buy the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun and move the franchise to Boston, sources tell Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. The group will reportedly pay a record $325MM to the Mohegan Tribe for the team, along with $100MM to build a new practice facility in Boston. The league responded by issuing a statement saying that “relocation decisions are made by the WNBA Board of Governors and not by individual teams,” and that “no groups from Boston applied for a team” during the expansion process.
They could have just been another expansion team for that much. Pagliuca trying to steal a team in the dead of night because he lost out on another one. I dont know if the leagues going to be down with owners just buying teams to move. The league likes having a small threat of relocation to help incentives municipalities similar to how SEA has helped NBA teams get arenas funded. They dont want to just have it be some mercenary s*** where any team especially the ones not owned by NBA teams can just be bought and moved at any time some dude wants a team in his city.
People in CT have known for a while that the tribe was wanting out of the WNBA. They gutted their team in the offseason and are horrible, but they have a small salary. Good for Pags in buying that team!
I just dont know if its a given that the W lets them move without trying to work something out there first. I mean it isnt super far, but for him to just buy the team and assume they will let him move as soon as he acquires it, without checking with the league first, sets a really bad precedent.
This at a time when team valuations are skyrocketing to the point that if you bought ATL for 10M selling for 400M doesnt sound bad right? Well do they want every team thats sold to just abandon the fan base and city that has supported it, because some billionaire lost out in a bid for an NBA team and wants a consolation prize in his city instead, which is blatantly what this is.
@ Chappy…He’s already part owner of a nba team, no? $325m for a WNBA team….that’s crazy. Must be good to blow said money to never make a profit. Other business interests must doing quite well.
He is being forced to sell his share along with the rest of the old ownership group when the sale fully goes through in ’27. So it would be different owners after that.
A bunch of the W teams arent owned by the neighboring NBA teams like DAL/ATL/LAS.
Oh, thanks for the update. Cheers.
How much for what? Atleast I know Boston can spend when the time comes.
White is a top 2way guy. Boston has to love him with their history. He plays the right way and is an IQ player. Has even gotten better in Boston. I still see them as a playoff team. They still can upgrade team by TD. They can make a difference in the playoffs.
Boston aren’t in a great position after all those trades. Tatum being out doesn’t help but still no Holiday, KP and it looks like Horford too.
GSW have said they have shutdown sign and trade talks but what about Simons and their 2028 first, which the Spurs have the right to pick swap with for Kuminga?
Simons is the best player being offered and also it’s the only first they’ve been offered…
Kuminga would be a really interesting addition for Boston. Really raw but great skillset and very athletic. When fit he’d be the perfect 3 between Brown and Tatum but even with JT out, he’d really have a chance to showcase his ability and grow.
I’d also be looking in at Andre Drummond and Nick Richards for a centre aswell
Simons makes way to much. They also may still be over the 1st apron where you get capped for a S&T. GSW only get credit for half the outgoing money on Kumingas contract so BOS would have to dump salary to make Kuminga any sort of offer, and Simons wouldnt be able to go to GSW without quite a bit more salary going out of GSW.
I dont know if they should have made the moves they did, but I do wonder what BOS will look like when Tatum comes back? Its like him White/Brown are a great core, but they have let go of a bunch of the very specific skilled role players that made them a title team. They also wont have cap space so I dont know how they rebuild the 4-10 spots in the rotation with no bigs really.
Hedge fund group which bought the Celtics figured they are already way ahead, by millions, after dumping our high paid stars and replacing them with low paid players. Typical hedge fund game plan. BUT we still have seasoned and multiple miracle-performing President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens! Trust in Stevens I like to post.
Myself I’d give both Anfernee Simons and Georges Niang tries although Stevens seems destined to dump them both to get under all luxury tax. Still astute Stevens may play them both and watch the team and developments until the very last minute. Go Celtics!
I mean I dont know about that. Like maybe there was some financial stuff, but as I understand it the current owners are still in charge of spending the new owners money. So not sure how its the new owners doing this with the same gov?
I mean Simons is a good scorer and bad defender. Not sure I would pay him much going forward when Clarkson/Sexton types are getting given away.
I dont know if the moves were bad either. Like I dont think Jrue would be the same guy the season after next. I dont like Porzingas ability to stay healthy. I mean getting off long term money for those two isnt a terrible idea. It took them a while though to find the right pieces that put them over the top, and they arent bad enough in the east to do a one year tank. So you get left with a good but expensive core, and for the type of basketball they play they need to replace two 3pt shooting C, when that is one of the most in demand player type in the league.
Interesting suggestion, Simmons>Russ. Simons, an unprotected 1st, and maybe a pair of 2nds for Kuminga (Celts sign him to 27 or 28 AAV), Moody, and Jackson-Davis. One year left on Simons’ deal. I’d take him over Monk.
To much for Kuminga. Personally rather shipping out simons, Niang possibly Queta for Vuch and a first. Boston shouldn’t be giving away firsts in my opinion. Would be no better cap wise either.
Celts just lost 4 great & key players — Al, Jrue, KP and Luke — 4 great CHEMISTRY guys if what I read and believe is true. So this upcoming year is all about rebuilding our decimated team, hopefully again with great chemistry guys.