The Boston Celtics are set to make significant changes this offseason, and Derrick White could be one of those headed to the exit door. White would be a man in demand if the Celtics make him available for trade, but Los Angeles Lakers fans on X were split on whether they’d do a deal that would see them acquire him for Austin Reaves.
“No, he’s 4 years older and is comparable. There’s barely an upgrade, if any, here,” one fan doesn’t see much of an upgrade.
“Yes, I’m making that deal happen today,” another would do this deal right away.
“Everyone saying yes, not realizing White is the same player as Reaves, just double the price,” one Lakers fan doesn’t think this would be an upgrade at all.
“Would fit perfectly on the roster,” a fan thinks White would be the perfect fit for this roster.
“Probably not. I’d rather get a center with AR,” another fan would prefer the Lakers trade Reaves for a center.
“16/4/5 39% from 3 and great defense. It’s tough, but I’m doing this asap. Perfect fit next to Luka, plus in his prime. Win-win for both teams. Celtics get to shed money, plus adding Reaves at 14m gives you a scoring punch with Tatum out. But I think Holiday gets traded instead,” a fan loves this trade, but doesn’t think the Celtics would part with White.
“Ehhhh. He’s gonna be 31. Obviously, he’s not a bad player, but he’s not this long-term fit. He’s like 2-3 years of being at this high level,” a fan would be against this deal because of White’s age.
“White is one of those tough players to find. Can shoot the ball, playmaker, and play defense,” another fan would make this deal as players like White don’t grow on trees.
“Everybody saying yes, not taking into account how old he is, how much salary we’d need to match, and that he’s taking away our best piece for a potential center trade,” one fan pointed out all the drawbacks to this deal.
“Truthfully, yes. Great defensive fit, knock down 3pt shooter. Would be sad to see AR go, but I like it for the Lakers,” a fan loves Reaves but would still make this move.
The best argument for not making this deal is that it could potentially make it difficult for the Lakers to acquire a top center. That’s their biggest need at the moment, and it has been reported that the Lakers would only trade Reaves for an elite, starting-caliber center. That is certainly the right approach. If they end up having a choice between a center and White, they should go with the big.
As far as White and Reaves go as players, the former would be a huge upgrade over the latter.
White averaged 16.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game for the Celtics in 2024-25. Reaves, meanwhile, put up 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game for the Lakers.
The raw numbers are better for Reaves, but White is just a way better defender. He has made the All-Defensive Second Team twice (2023, 2024) and would be a great fit next to Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
White would elevate the Lakers, but then again, that’d be the case with most teams. He’d be a great fit anywhere, and the Warriors will reportedly look to acquire him as well.
