Celtics finally grant Derrick White his longtime wish

The Boston Celtics are positioning Derrick White to set a new career-high in scoring and become a primary offensive option, fulfilling his expressed desire to average 30 points per game. This shift occurs with Jayson Tatum sidelined, and White is expected to deliver star performances, especially when opponents focus on stopping Jaylen Brown.

White averaged 16.4 points per game in the regular season last year, increasing to 18.8 during the playoffs, including a 34-point game in a playoff win without Tatum. Now 31 years old and in his prime, he is prepared to take on a larger role as the Celtics push for playoff success.

Following offseason roster changes, including the departures of Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet, the Celtics lost significant scoring production. With Tatum and Brown having combined for 49 points per game last season, White, as the second-leading healthy scorer, is expected to attempt over 15 shots per game and potentially average 22 or more points.

White is a committed core player for Boston, valued for his lockdown defense, elite shooting, and fit within head coach Joe Mazzulla's system. Although he has never averaged more than 12.6 field goal attempts per game, the team plans to create opportunities for him to shoot more, including possibly attempting ten 3-pointers per game.

The Celtics organization has confidence in White's ability to succeed in this expanded role. This opportunity will allow him to develop his game further, which will benefit the team when Tatum returns. White remains a crucial part of Boston's plans to return to title contention by 2027, especially as the team lacks the depth of its 2024 championship squad.

Overall, this move aligns with White's aspirations and the team's needs during its retooling phase. Fans can expect him to thrive in a larger offensive role, making the most of this opportunity to elevate his performance and contribute significantly to the Celtics' success.