When the Boston Celtics are brought up as a trade partner with the LA Clippers, Jrue Holiday's name is automatically included. This was happening not long after both teams were sent home in the playoffs, and the latest rumors have fed into the hype, making the pairing even more apparent.
By paying Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown a historically large amount of money, the Celtics have no other route to take other than to move Holiday. This could hurt their contention chances next season, especially with Tatum recovering from an Achilles injury, but it will become necessary this summer.
Although Michael Scotto confirmed the Clippers as one of the interested teams in Holiday, some fans do not like the idea of paying an aging veteran over $30 million per year, and precisely $37.2 million in 2027-28, when he will be 37.
His contributions now are solid, as he averaged 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists this season, but he is clearly declining and will certainly not be worth nearly $40 million at the last stage of his career.
That said, an NBA reporter, Sam Quinn, hopped on a podcast with Yossi Gozlan, an NBA insider, and mentioned how Derrick White would fit in LA, which ultimately replaces Holiday as the Celtic executive Lawrence Frank could trade for this summer.
A Derrick White trade to the LA Clippers could happen, but it would require picks and veterans to be involved
In contrast to Jrue Holiday, Derrick White is on a more fairly negotiated contract regarding his age and production, and this is a factor that could cause the LA Clippers to pivot their interest, even if the Boston Celtics request a bigger catch.
White is widely regarded as the best role talent in the league, and his numbers from last season back it up. He averaged 16.4 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds, shooting 44.2% from the field and 38.4% from three in 76 games.
To land White, the Clippers would have to include multiple first-round picks and high-quality pieces of their bench. LA may be in disagreement with trading picks, but for the appropriate piece next to Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, no second thought is needed.
White could be the player that Harden and Leonard can trust in the playoffs, someone the Clippers wish a genie would hand them, and his averages of 18.8 points in 11 games this postseason verify why.