Derrick White

With Marcus Smart traded to Memphis, White was in line to become the starting point guard in Boston. Coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed that assertion in late July. However, the Celtics made a surprise move to add Jrue Holiday right before training camp. White could still start at shooting guard, but he may have to settle for a tweener role again. White led all guards in blocked shots last season, but that doesn't mean he'll be able to keep up defensively with the speedier floor generals. On offense, White could very well exceed his career-high of 5.6 assists per game, which occurred in 2021-22 on a bad Spurs team. He'll have plenty of scoring options to set up with the Celtics. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis should offer White plenty of easy dimes. Last year, the former Spur found his shooting stroke when he drained 46.2 percent of his shots, after two poor shooting seasons. White also shot a career-high 87.5 percent from the free-throw line. Streaky shooter Payton Prichard will back up White and Holiday at both guard spots, but Boston's starters will likely play heavy minutes, and Prichard's defensive woes will limit his run. That means plenty of minutes for White even if he isn't an everyday starter. The newly head-shaven guard could easily average over 30 minutes a game for the first time in his career. White's arrow is pointing up.