The Boston Celtics have undergone significant changes this offseason, primarily focusing on reducing payroll and preparing for the upcoming season, especially as Jayson Tatum recovers from a playoff Achilles injury. They`ve already executed notable trades, sending Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in a deal centered around Anfernee Simons and moving Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks. These transactions successfully positioned Boston below the second luxury tax apron, helping them avoid the associated financial restrictions. However, these moves might not signal the end of their offseason activity.
Despite the roster adjustments, there have been reports indicating that other NBA franchises are interested in acquiring key players like Jaylen Brown and Derrick White from the Celtics. Boston`s assistant general manager, Mike Zarren, recently pushed back against the possibility of these trades happening.
In a post-draft interview on Friday, Zarren stated, “Those two guys are genuinely excellent NBA players, and there have been absolutely no serious discussions about trading them. I`m not sure where these reports are originating, but they are vital components of our roster, and we are fortunate to have them here.”
However, a contrasting report from Jake Fischer of The Stein Line suggests that the Celtics informed one team interested in White that any potential trade would require a package comparable to the one the Brooklyn Nets received from the New York Knicks for Mikal Bridges. That landmark trade included four unprotected first-round draft picks, a pick swap in 2028, and first and second-round picks in the 2025 draft. This clearly implies that acquiring Derrick White would necessitate paying an exceptionally high price. This high valuation isn`t particularly surprising, especially considering the substantial return the Memphis Grizzlies recently secured for trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic, which also featured four first-round picks and a future pick swap.
Such a prohibitive price tag is likely to deter many interested teams. Yet, if a team were to genuinely offer the Celtics a package built around four first-round picks, it would undoubtedly warrant serious consideration from Boston. For example, speculation includes a potential sign-and-trade scenario with the Golden State Warriors involving Jonathan Kuminga and four future first-round selections for White. This kind of significant offer might be one the Celtics find impossible to refuse, even if it means parting ways with a player who was instrumental in their successful 2024 championship run.
While Zarren may publicly downplay the Celtics` interest in trading these players, his comments won`t stop other teams from contacting Boston and attempting to put together compelling trade offers for valuable assets like White or Brown.
Jasper Hawthorne