After the Celtics’ surprising first-round exit, the team could descend into chaos this offseason and undergo a major roster reshuffle. Should Boston decide to make significant changes to retool, the Pistons should zero in on Derrick White as a potentially game-changing addition.
Detroit may face its own challenges in trade negotiations, so targeting a team shaken by an unexpected playoff loss would be a smart approach. Even though White is a talented player, his trade value is at a low point following a poor shooting season and playoff performance.
The Pistons must act quickly if White becomes available
Despite White’s struggles with shooting efficiency over the past year, his overall impact remained elite. He earned a spot on the All-Defensive First Team (alongside Detroit’s own Ausar Thompson) and played a key role in the Celtics’ surprising regular-season success.
Adding White would make the Pistons’ team defense nearly airtight. Alongside Thompson and Cade Cunningham, Detroit would boast several perimeter players capable of disrupting passing lanes and even offering rim protection. White would also provide another lockdown defender on the perimeter against teams with multiple elite guards.
At the same time, White’s ball-handling could ease Cunningham’s offensive burden. During his time in Boston, White averaged nearly five assists per game while committing only 1.5 turnovers. He’s certainly capable of running the offense for stretches from the shooting guard position.
Some concerns remain about White
That said, White is far from flawless. He’s not entirely comfortable stepping up as a true secondary scorer, as evidenced by shooting just 39% from the field this season when Jayson Tatum was off the floor. If Detroit is looking for an offseason addition who can consistently create his own shot, they’d be wise to look elsewhere.
White excels when playing within the natural flow of an offense—something he could still do with the Pistons. He can build on advantages created by Cunningham to knock down outside shots or attack closeouts. He can also run pick-and-rolls on his own, as long as he isn’t overburdened in that role.
When surrounded by other shooters and a true point guard, White’s strengths become even more apparent. He could flourish with a Pistons bench unit featuring Daniss Jenkins at point guard and a center willing to stretch the floor.
For years, White has been one of the league’s premier glue guys in Boston. His two-way impact has helped lift the Celtics to titles and Finals appearances. Bringing him to Detroit could have a similarly immediate effect for the Pistons.
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