Jake Fischer reported early Saturday, June 20, that Boston is not actively shopping Jaylen Brown or Derrick White, but is fielding inquiries about both with greater openness than in previous offseasons. It’s a small distinction in wording, but the Celtics do seem to be building momentum toward some significant deck shuffling.
A Brown trade still appears most plausible as part of a deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo, a move which would theoretically raise Boston’s ceiling. Dealing away White would be a different
story. The nine-year veteran supplies defense, shooting and connectivity that helped to keep Boston competitive while Tatum nursed his Achilles, yet his salary could be used to obtain size or rebalance the roster.
According to Fischer, Boston wants frontcourt upgrades and has maintained interest in Isaiah Stewart of the Detroit Pistons. The Celtics have also previously inquired about Rudy Gobert, most recently at February’s trade deadline. Now with Minnesota’s reported interest in White creates a speculative framework for further discussions.
Replacing White’s contributions would be harder than replacing his box-score stats. He suited up for 77 games (starting all) and averaged 16.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks in 34.1 minutes per game. Further, he shot 39% from the field (including 33% from three) and a career-high 90% from the free-throw line, while posting 98 blocks (noteworthy for a guard) and earning NBA All-Defensive First Team honors plus a 6th-place finish in DPOY voting. And, he received the NBA Sportsmanship Award.
Not a bad regular season, at all. In Boston’s first-round playoff exit, however, White stumbled, averaging 11.1 points on 32.1% shooting (27.3% from three) over seven games.
As for the Gobert smoke, I dunno. . . . From Fischer:
I don’t think that the Wolves are actively shopping Gobert, either way, but Minnesota is said to be as exploratory and open-minded as Boston when it comes to shaking up the roster around the team’s clear alpha (Edwards).
Minnesota seems content with their Eiffel Tower. Just because Boston inquired about him at the trade deadline and the T-Wolves now seem interested in White does not necessarily lead to the conclusion that a swap is imminent. But I’ll play along: Sure, the Shamrocks would gain a barricade around the basket while removing one of the guards who makes their perimeter defense miserable. The problem would be replacing White, who’s been a gluey piece for them, and will he be enough to get the deal done? It seems like Minny might want a little more return on their investment. Rudy’s playing as well today as he was in 2022, and this is what they gave up for him back then:
- Malik Beasley
- Patrick Beverley
- Leandro Bolmaro
- Walker Kessler
- Jarred Vanderbilt
- a 2023 1st round draft pick (Keyonte George was later selected)
- a 2025 1st round draft pick (Will Riley was later selected)
- a 2026 1st round draft pick
- a 2027 1st round draft pick
- a 2029 1st round draft pick.
To me, Stewart seems like the more obvious get. He is entering the second year of a four-year, $60 million extension, with a guaranteed salary of $15 million for the 2026-27 season and a $15 million team option for 2027-28. His salary makes him far easier to acquire without touching one of Boston’s core guys, while also providing the defensive versatility and frontcourt depth they desire.
During the 2025-2026 season, Neemias Queta started 75 games at center and was a key contributor (averaging 10.2 PPG and 8.4 RPG). To back him up, Beantown nabbed Nikola Vučević (and a second-round pick) from the Chicago Bulls at the trade deadline, in exchange for Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick. It was crafty on Stevens’ part. The move used the Kristaps Porziņģis trade exception, helped them dip under the first apron for financial flexibility, and added veteran frontcourt depth behind Queta. Consider it a rental, though. A free agent and turning 36 soon, Vooch is most likely done with the club.
Meanwhile, our sister site CelticsBlog has had a lot to say about all this. Jack Anderson argues that Boston should not be trying to build a Big 3 around Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. As Anderson states, building around three super max players, who make 35% of the cap, is not realistic.
Anderson argues (wisely) that it would likely cripple the Celtics’ ability to build a championship roster under the NBA’s apron rules. To acquire Giannis without trading Brown, Boston would likely have to surrender Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, future draft picks, and young prospects while becoming hard-capped at the first apron. The result would be three superstars consuming most of the payroll with little flexibility to add quality depth (similar to the Kevin Durant-Devin Booker-Bradley Beal Suns). Please, Brad, cripple the team!
From our vantage, we like that the Celtics are contemplating structural change instead of simply adding around the edges. This is not, say, sprinkling on a Jordan Clarkson to lend a dash of scoring to a team that’s READY TO WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP. (You bet I plan to do that until they’re dethroned (which could be never).) Anyway, count on Boston to do something. If it’s Giannis, they improve their odds for a title; with Gobert, they upgrade the frontcourt but stand to lose a lot on the backend; and Beef Stew is a solid reserve who won’t break up the band or bank, but won’t significantly elevate the team.
Slather on your sunscreen, the offseason is just heating up. Prepare for all the slop!
Go Knicks.
