If the Celtics are going to get back to the playoffs - and succeed - they'll need more from Derrick White.
After trading Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in early July, the Boston Celtics have real questions to answer heading into 2026-27.
Is Jayson Tatum ready to carry the team on his own for the first time in his career? How much does Paul George still have left in the tank, and how healthy can he stay? Can Payton Pritchard take another step forward in the absence of Brown and can either of Dillon Mitchell or Chris Cenac Jr. contribute as rookies?
But also, what exactly is Derrick White moving forward? At least offensively.
White's excellent defensive year
One of the best perimeter defenders in the league, White was named to the NBA's First-Team All-Defensive team this past season.
He was the only guard named to the first team.
White is now a two-time All-Defensive Team member, and as noted by the Celtics after the award was given, he was one of just two NBA players with 80+ blocks and 80+ steals. He's also the first Celtics player with 75+ blocks and 75+ steals in a season since Kevin Garnett.
He fell just two blocks short (98) of having at least 200 three-pointers made and 100 blocks in a season. White also finished sixth in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) passes the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half of a game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Brian Fluharty-Imagn ImagesBut offensively...
Now 31 years old, White is a nine-year veteran of the San Antonio Spurs and Celtics. Acquired by Boston in 2021-22, he's helped the Celtics reach the NBA Finals twice, winning the title in 2023-24. As evidenced by his first-team selection, White is one of the best defensive guards in the league, but while his overall offensive numbers were fine, his offensive productivity certainly showed signs of regression.
He averaged a career-high 16.5 ppg this season, helping alleviate the losses of Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Tatum (mostly). However, he shot just 32.7 percent from three-point range, which is his lowest since 2021-22. He's a career 36.0 percent shooter from beyond the arc. His troubles from deep extended to the playoffs, where he shot just 27.3 percent as the Celtics were upset by the 76ers in the first round.
Moving forward
If the Celtics are going to remain in serious contention in the Eastern Conference, White needs to be more of an answer than a question. The team can't really afford for him to continue to regress offensively. They need a collective effort to cover for Brown's absence, and White is someone who can be at the forefront of that, especially in drive-and-kick scenarios.
