Sometimes it feels good to be wrong. When it was first reported on Friday morning that the Minnesota Timberwolves are interested in Derrick White, I cautioned fans not to get too excited despite his ideal fit with the team. However, further reporting from Jake Fischer on Friday night mentioned that the Boston Celtics have shown past interest in Rudy Gobert.
"In reference to Minnesota's interest in White, which The Athletic's Sam Amick first reported Friday morning, trading him for Rudy Gobert would represent a clear salary match. Sources say that Boston, furthermore, has inquired about Gobert before... most recently at February's trade deadline. Now I don't think that the Wolves are actively shopping Gobert, either way, but Minnesota is said to be as exploratory and open-minded as Boston when it comes to shaking up the roster around the team's clear alpha (Edwards)," Fischer wrote.
And while Fischer also noted that the Celtics "cutting ties" with White is unlikely, he did mention that Boston has at least listened to offers for him. As such, it's not totally out of the realm of possibilities.
To me, a Gobert-White swap would be an amazing move for the Wolves. In addition to the Celtics' past interest in Gobert, this swap remains the most likely outcome for a Wolves trade as Fischer doubled down on the idea that the Wolves won't trade Jaden McDaniels or Naz Reid.
Derrick White would be a seamless fit with the Timberwolves
Without a doubt, Minnesota needs more playmaking and ball-handling alongside Anthony Edwards. Yet, the Timberwolves would ideally land a guard who is capable of playing off the ball, given Ant's supreme on-ball brilliance. White's exceptional defense adds yet another layer to his fit alongside Edwards and the rest of the team.
Now, some fans might not be all in on trading for White as he's not a traditional second option. I do understand this perspective at some level. Yes, White has never been an All-Star and he's not a high-end shot creator. Nor is he a traditional floor general.
But make no mistake, he can create for himself and others at a solid level. Thus, White could help alleviate pressure off Edwards.
He averaged 5.4 assists this past season, but he is a high-IQ decision-maker who doesn't commit turnovers. As a creator, White averaged a career-high 16.5 points this past season. And while he did have a down shooting year, in three seasons prior, White netted 38.7 percent of his 3-pointers.
To me, trading for a malleable guard who can offer some creation and playmaking is more ideal than chasing a star guard who doesn't offer the same complementary skills. The Wolves could make up for their lack of a second option in the aggregate. It's also possible that McDaniels or another player emerges as this second creator with increased opportunities.
Ant is also a truly elite creator; this can't be lost. What he needs is a roster better positioned to complement him and adding White could certainly do that.
The Giannis Antetokounmpo domino will have to fall first for there to be any shot of a Timberwolves-White trade. Particularly, since the Celtics are one of the frontrunners to land Giannis.
If the Celtics strike out on Giannis and are determined to add frontcourt size after the playoffs, where this flaw was exposed, they could have renewed interest in Gobert.
While it would sting for the Celtics to give up White and they'd have to fill this guard void, the chances of them trading him don't seem to be zero. Overall, the possibility of Minnesota trading for White certainly seems more likely than it did before.
