When the Boston Celtics take the floor at Madison Square Garden and open up their 2023-24 campaign against the New York Knicks, Derrick White will still be without a contract extension. The same can be said for the entirety of the upcoming season, as he and the Cs failed to reach an agreement by Monday’s 11:59 p.m. deadline.
Despite the lack of a deal, the Celtics will still be able to negotiate an extension with the Colorado Native after this season. From what we’ve heard, it sounds like there’s some hope on that front. White and the Celtics had reportedly been discussing an extension throughout the preseason.
Even without a new deal, Boston’s No. 9 is still going to be around for a bit. His current contract with the Celtics runs through the end of next season, making him a free agent in the summer of 2025. Boston will owe White $18.4 million this year, and $19.6 million for the 2024-25 campaign.
Since joining the Cs as part of a trade from the San Antonio Spurs, White has carved out a significant role in Joe Mazzulla’s rotation. Mazzulla spoke about what the 29-year-old brings to the team, specifically as a leader, at Monday’s practice.
“He’s really become a vocal leader. Every time we put them in a fix-it situation, an opportunity for the guys to have to figure it out, he’s leading the charge and taking control as a point guard and a voice for our team.”
Last season, his efforts on the defensive end did not go unnoticed as he was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team.
The Colorado native was effective on the opposite end of the floor, too. He averaged 12.1 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game while knocking down 44.9% of his attempts from the field and 36.5% of those from deep. He also appeared in all 82 games for Boston, starting in 74 of them.
