Celtics Trade Pitch Flips Derrick White for Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard

The Boston Celtics simply coughed up a 3-1 lead towards the rival Philadelphia 76ers in Round 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs, and the commerce mill has begun churning within the aftermath with Derrick White probably the most often talked about candidate to maneuver.

Jayson Tatum’s harm threw a significant hitch in Boston’s 2025-26 marketing campaign. White’s contributions have been crucial to the staff’s capability to not simply survive, however thrive, in Tatum’s absence on the best way to claiming the No. 2 seed within the East playoffs.

But White’s offense struggled all season underneath a bigger workload. He shot greater than ever earlier than (14.4 makes an attempt per recreation) and related at a career-worst clip of 39.4 percent from the sector. White additionally made simply 32.7 p.c of his greater than eight nightly heaves from behind the 3-point line, which was the second-lowest mark of his NBA tenure.

White’s capturing numbers and per recreation averages in factors, rebounds and assists dropped meaningfully from the common season to the staff’s seven-game playoff loss to Philly. That mentioned, White nonetheless averaged 16.5 factors, 5.4 assists and 4.4 rebounds throughout the common season and completed sixth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.

He will play subsequent season at 32 years outdated and is much and away one of the best commerce chip on Boston’s roster past Tatum and Jaylen Brownneither of whom the franchise is more likely to transfer.

“He’s still an incredibly valuable player and will surely be named to an All-Defense team in the coming weeks, but the Celtics clearly need more on offense from their third-best player,” Ben Handler of FanSided contended Sunday, May 3. “It’s a scary thought for Celtics Nation, but the idea of ​​selling high on D-White is not a crazy one.”

Kawhi Leonard Coming Off Career Year Offensively

gettyLos Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard

The query is for whom may the Celtics transfer White and get higher within the rapid?

One doable reply is Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonardwho has one yr remaining on his $150 million contract and is among the many largest names identified to be doubtlessly obtainable by way of commerce this summer season.

Leonard performed in 65 video games this yr, shedding the well being issues that plagued him in 2024-25. Also, at 34 years outdated, he produced a profession excessive of 27.9 points per game whereas including 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals nightly on 50.5 p.c capturing and practically 39 p.c from deep on near seven tries per outing.

Kawhi Leonard Makes Sense in Boston as Short-Term Upgrade

gettyKawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers.

In brief, Leonard returned to the assassin-like standing that has outlined his recreation as a two-time NBA Finals MVP just about each time he is been wholesome, and would have been a regular-season MVP candidate if he had performed the primary two months of the marketing campaign the best way he did the final 4 months.

Thus, whereas Leonard will not be an ideal slot in Boston, dealing for him forward of subsequent season improves the roster considerably and comes with minimal danger.

The Celtics must forfeit White and his $30.35 million wage in 2026-27 and discover one other $20 million or so in contract worth to ship west to LA

Even if Boston has to throw in a future first-round choose or choose swap, the staff has confirmed that these are extremely more likely to come close to the top of Round 1 in no matter draft yr they convey, simply so long as Tatum and Brown are main the staff. Without Tatum for a lot of final season, Brown stepped up and led the Celtics to 56 wins as a fringe MVP candidate.

Moving Derrick White for Kawhi Leonard Gives Celtics On-Court Optionality Next Season, Flexibility in Summer 2027

gettyJaylen Brown (left) and Jayson Tatum (proper) of the Boston Celtics.

The Celtics would clear White off the books for the ultimate three years of his contract and cost forth into subsequent season with a wing trio of Brown, Leonard and Tatum because the starters at capturing guard, small ahead and energy ahead, respectively.

Assuming relative well being, lineup staggers would have two of the three gamers on the ground for nearly all of minutes, and Boston would stay extremely aggressive even when one of many three sat on account of relaxation, harm or no matter different purpose.

Leonard doesn’t must be a ball-dominant participant offensively to achieve success, which the Clippers displayed throughout his pairing with James Harden. Meanwhile, Brown’s questionable deal with really renders him a greater off-ball participant at instances.

The perimeter protection and inside-outside mix of offense that Tatum, Brown and Leonard provide would make the Celtics a nightmare for opposing offenses and defenses alike in 2026-27.

Leonard’s contract comes off the books subsequent summer season following his age-35 marketing campaign, at which level the Celtics may negotiate an extension or just use the cap area to pursue youthful, longer-term gamers alongside Tatum and Brown in free company.

Max Dible covers the NFL, NBA and MLB for Heavy.com, with a give attention to the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns. He has lined native and statewide information as a reporter for West Hawaii Today and served as information director for BigIslandNow.com and Pacific Media Group’s household of Big Island radio stations earlier than becoming a member of Heavy. More about Max Dible