Chowder and Champions
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Grading the Celtics' 2024 Offseason Moves After Title Win

By Jacob Phillips

May 27, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) react to a play during the first quarter during game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
May 27, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) react to a play during the first quarter during game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
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Celtics Extend Derrick White: 4 years, $125 million

Derrick White
Jun 17, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) celebrates in the locker room after winning the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Elsa/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports / Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

Is there a player in all of basketball as good at his job as Derrick White is at his? Forget basketball; is there a professional in any field that fits that billing?

I'm embellishing, but if anyone deserves the praise, it's White. His tenure with the Celtics has been nothing short of tremendous: after a disjointed 2022, he rebounded to be one of Boston's most important players across two deep playoff runs, the latter of which concluded with an NBA championship.

His 38% three-point percentage with Boston allows him to plug into any lineup, any time; his elite defense only adds to that versatility. I could wax poetic about all of his other abilities, but the simplest way to put it is to say that White is simply a winning basketball player. He's a connector, a team player, and he fits the Celtics like a glove.

Like Holiday, his contract appears large for a non-All Star, but in today's cap environment, it's actually a pretty decent bargain for a player who immediately puts you closer to a championship. Unlike Holiday, White only just turned 30, and this deal locks him down in Boston for the rest of his prime.

Grade: A

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