Derrick White will be the Boston Celtics’ starting point guard next NBA season, according to head coach Joe Mazzulla. The Celtics traded Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies, paving the way for White to be the team’s new starting floor general.
“Derrick will be our starting point guard and he will be one of our starting guards,” Mazzulla said, via Jared Weiss of The Athletic.
White appeared in all 82 games last season for the Celtics. He averaged 12.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 46.2% from the field, 38.1% from beyond the arc and 87.5% from the free-throw line. The Celtics won 57 games in the regular season and were the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Boston beat the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs in six games and defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round in seven games. However, the Celtics lost to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals in seven games.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Derrick White & Boston Celtics Updates
White finished the 2023 NBA postseason with averages of 13.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He hit the game-winning shot in Game 6 versus the Heat at the buzzer to force a Game 7. The 29-year-old has career averages of 11.7 points, 3.4 boards and 3.8 assists in 345 games with the San Antonio Spurs and Celtics. He made the 2022-23 All-Defensive second team.
The Celtics are expected to start White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford next season. Smart was traded to the Grizzlies in the three-team Porzingis trade with the Grizzlies, while Grant Williams was sent to the Dallas Mavericks.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Derrick White & Boston Celtics Updates
A Big 3 of Porzingis, Brown and Tatum looks good on paper for the Celtics. There should be more driving lanes for Tatum and Brown next season since Porzingis can space the floor with his shooting. When Porzingis goes beyond the 3-point line, he will bring his defender with him, which will create more room in the paint for Tatum and Brown.
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