Derrick White of the Boston Celtics has earned recognition in the latest point guard rankings by The Sporting News, coming in at 15th for the 2026-27 NBA season. White, who has established himself as a key player for the Celtics, finds himself positioned between De’Aaron Fox of the San Antonio Spurs and Darius Garland of the Los Angeles Clippers in these rankings.
White, selected 29th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2018 NBA Draft, was traded to the Celtics in 2022. His contributions were vital to the Celtics’ success during the 2022-23 season, where the team emerged victorious in the NBA Finals. He averaged 16.7 points per game during that championship run, reinforcing his status as a dependable player.
Last season marked a significant progression in White’s performance, as he recorded career highs in several statistical categories, including points (16.5), blocks (1.3), and steals (1.1) per game. His all-around skillset and defensive prowess were highlighted by Steph Noh, who noted, “White is the ultimate two-way glue guy that makes everyone around him better.” Noh praised White’s defensive skills, playmaking ability, and shooting, calling him one of the most valuable assets to the Celtics.
In 2024, White secured a four-year contract extension with the Celtics worth $125.9 million, which includes a player option for the 2028-29 season. His commitment to the team is clear, as he stated, “The business is the business, especially nowadays. Anybody can get traded. But I think we do a good job in the locker room, kind of wanting to care about each other.”
As the upcoming NBA season approaches, White’s performance will be pivotal for the Celtics as they aim to build on their recent achievements and maintain their competitive edge.
