When Nikola Vucevic joined the Boston Celtics from the Chicago Bulls, he had his sights set on wearing No. 9.
However, that number was already claimed by Celtics guard Derrick White. In a surprising twist, Vucevic reached out to White with a generous offer of $5 million to acquire the number.
Nikola Vucevic gets a huge ovation from the TD Garden crowd as he checks into the game for the first time as a Celtic 🍀
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 7, 2026
(via @danield1214) pic.twitter.com/c3eHpYk1BI
White, a 2024 champion, turned down the offer but admitted that if the price had been $10 million, he might have reconsidered. “$5 million's not enough. If he said $10 [million], yeah - that's fine,” White shared on the White Noise Podcast.
He explained his attachment to the number, noting, “9 is my favorite number. When I see people wearing number 9 at the Garden, and it's a Nike jersey, I'm like oh, I know that's mine.”
Ultimately, Vucevic opted for No. 4 and made a memorable debut with the Celtics. In a thrilling 98-96 win over the Miami Heat, he recorded a double-double with 12 rebounds, 11 points, four assists, and two steals. The TD Garden crowd gave him a standing ovation, welcoming him warmly to Boston.
Vucevic continued to impress, putting up another double-double against his former team, the Bulls, with 19 points and 11 rebounds. The Celtics secured a commanding 124-105 victory, with Vucevic shooting an impressive 7-for-12 from the field, including 4-for-5 from beyond the arc, while adding three assists, two blocks, and a steal.
Up next, the Celtics are set to face the Warriors on Thursday, and fans are eager to see if Vucevic can maintain his strong start with the team.