This mock trade exemplifies the varied paths teams can take to achieve their goals. Boston plans for sustainability. Toronto bets on culture and fit. Miami gambles on talent and upside
It’s a rare deal where all sides walk away with something they need, but also one where the final judgment won’t be known for years.
Whether this deal would ever happen is up for debate, but in the ever-evolving chess game of the NBA, it’s a thought-provoking move worth considering.
The Celtics’ 2025 offseason marks the end of an era. From winning the NBA title in 2024 to being knocked out in the second round, Boston’s swift fall is a testament to how quickly fortunes can change in the NBA.
Injuries, age, and financial pressures have forced the franchise to rethink its path forward.
Trading Derrick White — while painful — could be the first of many moves aimed at shaping the next great Celtics team.
Whether that comes in two years or five, the goal remains the same: to hang another banner in TD Garden. And for a franchise with 18 of them already, the bar will always be championship or bust.
Also Read: Derrick White’s Sister Brianna And Brother: Family And Ethnicity
Table of Contents
Derrick White: Boston’s Collapse
From Champions to Conference Exit
The Boston Celtics’ 2024 title defense came to an abrupt and heartbreaking end during the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals.1
After dominating much of the regular season and establishing themselves as the team to beat, they were outclassed in a six-game series by a surging New York Knicks team.
The knockout blow came in Game 4 when franchise cornerstone Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles tendon — an injury that would not only end his season but also derail Boston’s title hopes.
This was not the ending the Celtics envisioned. With Tatum and Jaylen Brown forming one of the most formidable duos in basketball, expectations were high for another Finals run.
However, Tatum’s injury and Brown’s postseason fatigue exposed the Celtics’ dependency on their stars, and now the franchise faces a pivotal offseason.
I got you my guy! Merry Christmas! 🎅🏽 https://t.co/76eKNspC95
— Derrick White (@Dwhite921) December 20, 2024
Fallout and Front Office Overhaul
As soon as the final buzzer sounded in Game 6, the Celtics’ brass had to face a harsh reality: their championship window, once wide open, may now be on the verge of slamming shut.
Rather than attempting to run it back with a similar roster in 2026 — particularly without a healthy Tatum — President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens decided to hit reset.
In a pair of aggressive moves, the Celtics traded away veteran point guard Jrue Holiday and big man Kristaps Porzingis. While both were instrumental in the 2024 championship run, age, injuries, and cap space concerns made them expendable in the eyes of the front office.
These trades signal more than just a retooling — they suggest a new direction for the Celtics, potentially centered around youth, flexibility, and long-term vision rather than short-term contention.
Derrick White: Two Injuries, One Future in Question
Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tear is expected to sideline him for the majority of the 2025-26 season.2
Achilles injuries are notoriously difficult to recover from, particularly for athletic wings who rely heavily on explosiveness.
While modern medicine has improved outcomes, there is no guarantee that Tatum will return as the same player who led Boston to a championship just a year ago.
Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown is also dealing with his own injury recovery. Though not as severe, his arthroscopic knee procedure will limit his offseason development.
With both stars on the mend, Boston’s future is murkier than it has been in years. Without them, the team will rely heavily on depth pieces who have never shouldered full leadership responsibility.
Brad Stevens’ Vision and the Road Ahead
Brad Stevens is no stranger to high-pressure situations. Since moving from head coach to executive, he’s made bold moves — including trading Kemba Walker, signing Al Horford, and landing Holiday and Porzingis in the first place.
Now, he’s again choosing the difficult path by restructuring a championship roster.
Expect Boston to be active in free agency and the trade market. They may not go full rebuild, but a retool centered on long-term health, financial flexibility, and younger talent appears inevitable.
It’s a long play, one that hinges heavily on Tatum’s return and Brown’s ability to stay healthy.
Reimagining the Celtics’ Core Identity
With Tatum injured, Brown recovering, and White potentially on the move, the Celtics are shifting from an identity built around stardom and grit to one that may emphasize youth, development, and long-term planning.
Players like Sam Hauser, Pritchard, and Oshae Brissett will need to step up. The franchise could also look to the 2025 NBA Draft to find the next face of their rebuild.
While fans may bristle at the idea of taking a step back, especially just a year removed from a title, it’s a necessary recalibration. Injuries have taken their toll, and the Celtics must think beyond 2026 if they hope to remain a top-tier organization in the years to come.
Derrick White: From Role Player to Trade Bait
One such player is Derrick White, the versatile guard who has become a fan favorite in Boston.3
White has been nothing short of phenomenal since arriving from San Antonio, known for his perimeter defense, timely scoring, and high basketball IQ. Yet as Boston shifts toward reshaping the roster, his name has emerged in trade rumors.
While White is under contract through 2026, teams across the league see value in his skill set — especially for contending teams looking for a secondary ball-handler or defensive stalwart.
With Boston in asset-gathering mode, they are reportedly open to moving White for the right return.
The Three-Team Trade: A Closer Look
One potential trade scenario being floated involves the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat in a three-team deal.
Here’s how it could look:
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Boston Celtics Receive: Duncan Robinson, Precious Achiuwa, Chris Boucher
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Toronto Raptors Receive: Derrick White
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Miami Heat Receive: Dennis Schröder and a second-round pick from Boston
This trade accomplishes multiple goals for each team:
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For Boston: They acquire Duncan Robinson, a lethal perimeter shooter who hit nearly 40% from beyond the arc last season. While not as strong defensively as White, Robinson could thrive in an offense that needs spacing in the absence of Tatum. Achiuwa and Boucher bring frontcourt versatility, energy, and rim protection, helping to fill the void left by Porzingis.
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For Toronto: They get a veteran two-way guard in White who fits well alongside Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley. White provides the stability and defensive prowess that the Raptors lacked in their backcourt last season.
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For Miami: Schröder gives them a reliable backup point guard, and the second-round pick adds depth to their asset pool.
The Pros and Cons of Moving White
Trading Derrick White isn’t an easy decision. He’s one of the league’s most underrated guards and a major piece in Boston’s recent success.
However, his trade value is at an all-time high, and with Boston entering a transitional phase, it may be the right time to cash in.
Pros:
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Acquire younger role players with upside
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Improve salary cap flexibility
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Get a premier 3-point shooter in Robinson
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Give playing time to younger guards like Payton Pritchard and JD Davison
Cons:
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Lose one of the team’s most reliable perimeter defenders
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Potential step back in leadership and team cohesion
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Increases pressure on Jaylen Brown to lead an unproven roster (when healthy)
Also Read: Who is Derrick White Wife Hannah Schneider? Age Gap, Relationship and Kids
Derrick White Deal Completes Role Player Exodus
In a dramatic, speculative blockbuster trade, the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, and Miami Heat execute a complex three-team swap that signals major philosophical shifts for each franchise.
At the heart of the proposal is Derrick White, a key cog in Boston’s recent title run, who is moved in exchange for assets that reshape not only the Celtics’ future but the direction of the Raptors and Heat as well.
The Trade Framework: Who Gets What?
Boston Celtics receive:
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Duncan Robinson (from Heat)
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Gradey Dick (from Raptors)
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Keshad Johnson (from Raptors)
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2025 first-round pick via Warriors (No. 20)
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2025 first-round pick (No. 9 overall)
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2027 first-round pick (unprotected)
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2029 first-round pick (unprotected)
Toronto Raptors receive:
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Derrick White (from Celtics)
Miami Heat receive:
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RJ Barrett (from Raptors)
This hypothetical swap sends key pieces across conference rivals and shakes up each team’s trajectory, with every franchise embracing different priorities: championship retooling, roster balance, and star development.
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Boston Celtics: Trading Depth for Dynamism and Draft Control
The Celtics just won the 2024 NBA title and possess one of the league’s most stacked rosters. Trading away Derrick White might seem counterintuitive—until you examine Boston’s financial outlook and long-term planning.
Balancing Now with the Future
White is coming off a career year and is due for a major payday. With Boston already knee-deep in the luxury tax thanks to deals for Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Jrue Holiday, extending White could push them into historically expensive territory.
This deal allows Brad Stevens to maintain a competitive roster while stockpiling draft capital. The picks received could be used in two ways: to draft and develop low-cost talent or as trade chips to land another high-impact player.
Building Around the Stars with Floor Spacers
Duncan Robinson, despite his defensive flaws, fits Boston’s mold as a movement shooter who can stretch defenses. Gradey Dick brings potential upside as a secondary creator and shooter, with more defensive versatility than Robinson. Keshad Johnson, known for his energy and hustle, adds youth and defensive athleticism to Boston’s rotation.
With Al Horford nearing retirement and White’s cap number set to rise, this infusion of young, inexpensive players and draft assets gives the Celtics long-term flexibility while keeping them in the championship hunt.
Derrick White: Winners and Losers
A Trade with No Clear Fails
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Biggest Winner (Short-Term): Toronto Raptors
The Raptors instantly improve and give Scottie Barnes the veteran support he needs. -
Biggest Winner (Long-Term): Boston Celtics
By cashing in on White at his peak value, Boston gets picks, youth, and cap flexibility without completely sacrificing contention. -
Most Volatile Bet: Miami Heat
The Heat get younger and potentially better, but if Barrett doesn’t evolve, they’ll have lost a proven shooter and gained another question mark.
What’s Next for Each Franchise?
Boston Celtics:
Continue using surplus picks to strike opportunistic deals or build one of the best developmental pipelines in the NBA.
Toronto Raptors:
Explore frontcourt reinforcements, especially rim protection and rebounding, to balance out their new backcourt core.
Miami Heat:
Look to the free-agent market for veterans who can ease the scoring burden while mentoring Barrett through his transition.
