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Boston Celtics guard Derrick White will reportedly seek a contract extension this summer, per NBA insider Marc Stein.
“Keeping his five best players together for the long term is going to get increasingly difficult (as in expensive) for [Brad] Stevens and the Celtics after the forthcoming offseason, when [Jayson] Tatum signs his own $315 million contract extension after [Jaylen] Brown scored a nearly $290 million extension last summer,” Stein wrote. “We must also factor in that White, according to league sources, will be seeking a contract extension this summer.”
White is currently on a four-year, $70 million contract that he inked with the San Antonio Spurs as his rookie extension. He is set to earn $20 million in the 2024-25 season before becoming a free agent next summer.
White, who was dealt to the Celtics at the trade deadline in 2022 from the Spurs, has become increasingly important to Boston over his three seasons with the team. He primarily came off the bench for the Celtics in his first season but is now arguably one of the team’s most valuable pieces.
This season, he averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists and 4.2 rebounds and made the NBA All-Defensive Second Team for a second consecutive season after averaging 1.2 blocks and a steal per game.
Following the best regular season of his career, White has been pivotal in the postseason for Boston, putting up 17.6 points, 4.4 assists and four rebounds per game in the playoffs. He had a playoff career-high 38 points in Round 1 against the Miami Heat and has continued his excellent play through the first two games of the Finals.
On Sunday, White had a clutch block in the final minute that prevented the Dallas Mavericks from cutting the Celtics’ lead to three points.
Boston Celtics @celtics
DERRICK WHITE 🚫 pic.twitter.com/K40AaqRCTk
If the Celtics can bring home their first championship since 2008, White’s contribution will be a major reason why. Because of his undeniable presence for Boston, it won’t be a surprise to see him earn a lofty extension this offseason.
