Speaking to Malika Andrews of ESPN on NBA Today (YouTube link), Celtics guard Derrick White discussed his changing role, the addition of Kristaps Porzingis, and being open to a contract extension, among other topics.
“You’re eligible for an extension at the end of September,” Andrews said. “You’re gonna have a what, three week window to negotiate that. Do you want to get a deal done before the season starts? Is that a goal of yours?”
“I love being here in Boston, it would be cool to get an extension,” White replied. “We’ll see what happens during that window. But I’ve loved my time in Boston so far and my focus right now is just on the season.”
The 29-year-old has two years remaining on his current contract, which will pay him $36.4MM+ through 2024/25. White’s deal has incentives — some likely, some unlikely — that could increase the total value.
Here’s more from the Atlantic:
- The signing of big man Trendon Watford is yet another indication that the Nets are embracing a youth movement this offseason, as Brian Lewis of The New York Post writes. Brooklyn selected a pair of teenagers in the first round of the draft (Noah Clowney and Dariq Whitehead), a 22-year-old (Jalen Wilson) in the second round, and has signed free agents Dennis Smith Jr., Lonnie Walker, Darius Bazley and now Watford, all of whom are 25 years old or younger.
- Free agent big man Harry Giles is holding a workout on Saturday in Miami and the Nets will be in attendance, agent Daniel Hazan tells Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News (Twitter link). As Bondy notes, Giles is eligible for a two-way deal after a clause in the new CBA was named after the former first-round pick, who missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury. Brooklyn holds one open two-way slot, as our tracker shows. Giles also held a workout in Las Vegas last month, with at least five teams in attendance.
- In a subscriber-only story for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Gina Mizell explains how the Sixers will have the financial flexibility to reshape their roster next summer, despite James Harden‘s trade request hanging over the organization. Both Harden and Tobias Harris are on expiring contracts, Mizell writes, and the 76ers prioritized signing free agents to short-term contracts this offseason. Technically, only Joel Embiid is currently on a guaranteed contract in 2024/25, though P.J. Tucker is essentially a lock to pick up his $11.5MM player option.
Good for Philly and Embiid, maybe he and Maxey can actually get someone that wants to be a part of a winning team and one of the few teams that actually have a real shot to contend for a championship.
Maybe they’ll be able to get someone that isn’t afraid of the spotlight, and they’ll be able to get a player that’ll appreciate being a part of a franchise with such a rich history and one with such a passionate fanbase. Someone that won’t turn their back on them after they’ve gone completely out of their way to welcome them with open arms.
Harden deserves the reputation he has as a choker and a malcontent. Let him finish out his career continuing to put up empty stats for some other team, that is if anyone really wants him. Harden has done absolutely nothing but make sure he’s cemented his legacy as someone who shrinks when the lights are the brightest, and he will be forever known as someone you can’t win with. He is the guy that consistently blames everyone else when the going gets tough, and then bolts outta town when there’s no one else to blame.
Philly should really consider themselves fortunate Harden couldn’t help but show his true colors, and that Morey didn’t give in and give him some absurd deal he never earned nor planned on even honoring.
I’m not even a 76ers fan, but I hope whoever they get to replace Harden, that guy actually helps them win a title. Lord knows Embiid deserves it always giving it his all while consistently playing through injuries, and their fans definitely deserve it for having to put up with Harden only to be let down by his selfish mindset and his I’m more important than anyone else attitude.
Brogdon is going to want out of he doesn’t already. He already complained about the team last year, then they tried to trade him and now they are already announcing White as starting PG when it should at least be a training camp/preseason competition.
If Dame is on the Blazers into the deadline, Brogdon, Time Lord, and White could be sent out with 4 1sts for Dame and Little.
Why would the Celtics want to trade White and Williams, to a player who said he doesn’t want to play in Boston? I would rather trade J.Brown than trade Williams and White.
He never complained about the team and it’s been well know that Brogdon accepted his role. More fake news and terrible takes from Kurtis blows