Derrick White just made his thoughts on Celtics painfully clear

Derrick White discussed on his podcast, White Noise, how straightforward his decision was to sign a four-year, approximately $126 million contract extension with the Boston Celtics shortly after winning the 2024 NBA Championship. He emphasized that the process was relaxed and not rushed, as he had no desire to play elsewhere. White expressed excitement about continuing his career in Boston, citing personal happiness, family preferences, and his development as a player there. He also mentioned that his children were born in Boston, reinforcing his deep connection to the city.

White's contributions to the Celtics have been significant, particularly in their championship runs. He was a pivotal part of the team's 2022 Finals appearance and played an even more crucial role in securing the 2024 title. Since joining the Celtics, White has evolved into one of the NBA's top defensive guards and an elite three-point shooter, earning two All-Defensive selections and attempting a career-high 9.1 three-pointers per game at a 38.4% accuracy last season.

The Celtics' roster has undergone major changes this summer due to the second apron, resulting in the departures of key players like Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kornet, with Al Horford likely to follow. This leaves White, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser as the core players moving forward. White, who was previously considered the third-best player on the team with a narrow gap between him and Holiday or Porzingis, is now expected to take on a more critical role. For the Celtics to compete for another championship, White will need to elevate his performance further.