Because the Celtics work this offseason to maneuver under the restrictive second tax apron, there was some hypothesis concerning the chance that the group could be keen to commerce stars Jaylen Brown and/or Derrick White as a part of its roster overhaul.
Whereas most reporting on the topic has indicated that Boston has no want to maneuver both participant and is solely listening in case a possible commerce accomplice makes a large provide, Celtics vice chairman of basketball operations Mike Zarren believes even these stories have overstated the group’s curiosity in making a deal involving Brown or White.
“These two guys are actually, actually nice NBA gamers, and there hasn’t been something near critical about buying and selling them,” Zarren mentioned, per Souichi Terada of MassLive. “I’m unsure the place all this reporting got here from however these guys are key components of our group, and we’re fortunate to have them right here.”
Zarren’s feedback could not totally shut down hypothesis about Brown and White, but when the Celtics have been going to maneuver one among them this offseason, it seemingly would’ve occurred earlier than or in the course of the first spherical of the draft, when lottery picks might have been in play.
Having agreed to separate offers involving Jrue Vacation and Kristaps Porzingis, Boston now not faces the identical degree of urgency to proceed shedding wage, although function gamers like Sam Hauser and newly acquired Anfernee Simons proceed to be talked about as doable commerce candidates.
The Raptors have been one of many groups that inquired about White, Zach Lowe of The Ringer confirmed on Thursday in an episode of his podcast (hat tip to Brian Robb of MassLive).
“There have been stories that the Raptors supplied the No. 9 choose for Derrick White,” Lowe mentioned. “I’m advised that’s true however that it occurred a month and a half in the past after Jayson Tatum obtained damage, and Boston laughed at that provide and mentioned, ‘We want far more than No. 9 for Derrick White.’”
