The Celtics have shown they are willing to trade players as they prepare for a season without Jayson Tatum, but for some of their pieces, it will take a lot more than others.
The door to Boston’s roster still remains open after sending Jrue Holiday packing to the Trail Blazers in a deal for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks, and trading Kristaps Porzingis to the Hawks in a three-team deal with the Nets.
There are reports that there are teams interested in both wing Jaylen Brown and guard Derrick White. According to a report from The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer, the Celtics informed one team that if a trade for White were to happen, it would come at a hefty price — a similar package to what the Nets received when trading Mikal Bridges to the Knicks.
That 2024 offseason move involved a heavy load of four unprotected first-round picks, a pick swap in 2028, and a first and second-round pick in the 2025 draft.
After watching Desmond Bane go to the Magic for four first-round picks and a future pick swap for the Grizzlies as well, the Celtics understand what could be possible.
However, Celtics assistant general manager Mike Zarren recently shut down the idea of a trade happening for either White or Brown.
“Those two guys are really, really great NBA players, and there hasn’t been anything close to serious about trading them,” Zarren said Friday in a post-draft interview. “I’m not sure where all this reporting came from, but those guys are key parts of our team, and we’re lucky to have them here.”
The price tag also will enable only very serious offers to come through, and although Zarren denies it, teams will be calling with haul offers for either player. If worthwhile, it may be hard to turn down.
White, 30, averaged a career-high 16.4 points during the 2024-25 regular season along with 4.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds.
Both White and Brown, who’s entering the second year of a supermax contract worth up to $304 million, were instrumental in delivering Boston a championship in 2024 — its first since 2008.
Brown has become a household name, spending all nine years of his career with the Celtics from when he was selected third overall in the 2016 draft. White came to Boston during the 2021-22 season from San Antonio and has earned his way to two All-Defensive second-team nods with the Celtics.
