NBA Exec Floats Derrick White Trade After Seeing Grizzlies Blockbuster

A big move is forthcoming for the Boston Celtics this offseason — could Derrick White be the one on the way out?

The veteran wing has been a pivotal piece for the Celtics over the last few seasons, but is among the players on big-money deals who could be a salary cap casualty. Boston is looking to get under the second luxury tax apron, especially with Jayson Tatum out next season, meaning they have to shed north of $20 million this offseason.

Trading Kristaps Porzingis and/or Jrue Holliday represent the easiest — and perhaps most likely — way to shed payroll. But White is set to make at least $28 million each of the next four seasons.

White is such a good fit for the Celtics that moving him would undoubtedly hurt. But one NBA insider, looking at the monster return the Grizzlies just got for Desmond Bane, suggested maybe the Celtics could look to deal White.

“When you look at what Orlando just gave up for Bane? I think Brad (Stevens) would pretty quickly take that for Derrick White,” an NBA executive told insider Sean Deveney, via Yardbarker.

Memphis got four first-round picks and a pick swap for Bane, plus Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony. Bane is younger and his average numbers tend to be better, but White is a defensive stalwart and has an established postseason track record.

“They might have a harder time just because everyone knows they’re up against it and they need to make a deal,” the executive told Deveney. “But if you go by what the Grizzlies just got, Brad Stevens has to get a couple of players and two or three first-rounders for White. Or else you keep him.”

Even if the Celtics didn’t get something totally similar to the Bane deal, they would get a lot — more than just salary relief — for White. In an offseason like this, one has to think everything is on the table.