The Boston Celtics acquired Derrick White from the San Antonio Spurs ahead of the 2022 NBA Trade Deadline.
NBA Star Derrick White Reveals Reaction to 2022 Celtics-Spurs Trade originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Ahead of the 2022 NBA Trade Deadline, the Boston Celtics acquired Derrick White from the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Romeo Langford, Josh Richardson, and two first-round picks.
At the time, White was in his fifth season in the league after the Spurs drafted him in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft. The Colorado native struggled a bit to begin his Celtics tenure, but he eventually turned it up and became a crucial part of their 2024 NBA Championship victory.
Over three years after the trade, White recently revealed his reaction to getting shipped out to Boston.
Following the trade, White has become a key player of the Celtics' core and almost immediately got a chance to play in the NBA Finals in 2022. However, the 31-year-old recently admitted that he "was hurt" after the trade, and that he was "committed" to the Spurs (h/t the White Noise Podcast).
"But getting traded during the season is one of the craziest things I've had to deal with in my NBA career. You’re on a team, you’re committed to them, you’re trying to do everything you can to help them win games. And then one day they’re like, 'All right, you’re on the Celtics.' So… I was hurt," White said on the podcast.
While it is fair to assume he appreciated his time in San Antonio, White has blossomed into a key contributor in Boston and could be in line for an All-Star appearance in the future.
As the Celtics prepare for a gap year next season with Jayson Tatum on the shelf, they will continue to rely heavily on White and Jaylen Brown to keep them afloat. Once Boston is back in title contention, White will look to play a championship-level role once again.
Related: Kristaps Porzingis Announces Health Update After Trade From Celtics
Related: Derrick White Breaks Silence After Celtics Trades
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
