Since arriving in Boston midway through the 2021-22 season, Derrick White has quietly become one of the Celtics’ most indispensable pieces - and not just for what he brings on the court. Yes, his two-way game has been a perfect fit in Boston’s system, but his impact goes beyond the box score. As the Celtics navigate a new-look roster this season, White’s leadership is proving just as valuable as his defense, shooting, and playmaking.
With veterans like Al Horford, Luke Kornet, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis no longer in the fold following offseason moves, Boston’s rotation has leaned more on its younger talent. And White has embraced the role of mentor, helping guide this youthful group through the ups and downs of an NBA campaign.
Ahead of the Celtics' 119-115 win over the Miami Heat on Friday, White opened up about how he’s adjusted his leadership approach to better support the team’s younger players. “I just try to be there for them, support them, help them through whatever they might need,” he said.
“It’s a journey. There’s going to be some really high highs and some tough lows.”
That perspective comes from experience. White’s path to becoming a key piece on a title-contending team wasn’t a straight line. From his college days at Colorado to his early years with the Spurs, he’s learned how to navigate the grind of an NBA season - and now he’s passing that knowledge along.
“We’ve got a lot of guys that are doing a lot of great things for us,” White added. “And so it’s just really fun to see their day-to-day work show up on the big stage.”
That kind of steady presence is exactly what Boston needs as it retools on the fly. While Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown continue to carry the scoring load, White is helping to shape the next wave of Celtics contributors - not with flashy speeches or headline-grabbing moments, but with consistency, encouragement, and a deep understanding of what it takes to win.
In a league where locker room chemistry can be just as important as Xs and Os, Derrick White is becoming the kind of leader every contender needs. And if the Celtics are going to make another deep postseason run, don’t be surprised if White’s fingerprints are all over it - even if they don’t always show up in the stat sheet.