The Trade That Makes Too Much Sense / The Trade Everyone Hates: Derrick White to Houston

[NYG]

Boston Celtics get:
Fred VanVleet
Second Earliest of 2027 Nets/Suns/Rockets First Round Draft Pick
2026 Top 10 Protected Chicago Bulls First Round Draft Pick (2027 - Top 10 Protected / 2028 - Top 8 Protected or becomes 2028 and 2029 second round picks)

Chicago Bulls get:
Tari Eason

Houston Rockets get:
Derrick White

-Celtics lean into the retool around a younger core with a healthy Tatum and potentially an early 2026 first round pick by adding two future first round picks for a veteran that may not fit in their new extended timeline.

-Bulls add a solid young forward that would fit nicely with the other young pieces on the roster.

-Rockets get a solid defensive guard that can run the offense and keep them running as though they never lost VanVleet.

[Djh7475]

2 1sts with extremely limited upside an injured vet that’s out for the season is really far off for Dwhite.

[mlloyd10]

FVV/Eason/Suns 2027 1st for White/Scheierman

[parsnips33]

I would hope somebody (Warriors?) could beat this offer

[NYG]

Would this be a closer base of a package for a guy like Suggs?

[penbeast0]

Is White worth more on the trade market than Suggs?

[NYG]

Is White worth more on the trade market than Suggs?

I apparently have no idea haha

[babyjax13]

I think Houston should be including one more first, or replacing what they send with a more valuable pick.

RE: White vs. Suggs, I think White is better and he is more available, so I'd take him over Suggs.

[tcheco]

2 non lotto picks and 50M dead cap is not getting you Derrick White, you can cut one pick and get Coby White though.

Celtics cant keep FVV and extend Eason without going over the second apron too probably, unless they let Simons expire for nothing, and even then i think they will be over it. Dont expect FVV to bounce back as a reliable player next year after such injury.

Sure makes sense to Houston, but Celtics are not making them a favor

[Cricket23]

What about White & Hauser for VanVleet, Jabari, and picks?

[jayjaysee]

I think Houston owes more. I lean to another actual first, but maybe it could just be the best first in 2027 But do really like White for them. Great fit and affordable while they hope Reed develops..

Do sort of think some team gives up more for Eason. Thinking Sacramento.

[brackdan70]

To answer the poll question I think Houston needs to add. Either a high likely lotto first or cut out Chicago and send Eason and another pick to the Celtics. VanFleet is just salary ballast in this scenario.
Even if value is added I have a hard time understanding the “why” for the Celtics.

[brackdan70]

What about White & Hauser for VanVleet, Jabari, and picks?

That seems like a more realistic situation for the Celtics anyway. Depends on the picks.

[LarsV8]

My thought process:

- The second best pick between PHX and BK in 27 is one of the best pick trade assets out there. Both teams are terrible with little hope of improvement next year. This could easily be a top 4 pick.
- My price tag for Eason would be 1 good first, or 3 mid firsts. The Bulls are undefeated in a weak conference. This tracks to a late 26 first, which is an absolute non starter. Would just replace with our own first rather than this.
- White has looked bad this year. He is on the wrong side of 30, and has a long contract, which is decent at last years production, but will likely get worse as White gets worse (due to age).
- I have Eason and White as comparable in value.
- FVV has dead money this year, but will still be a good player on a decent deal next year. We sent a handful of seconds for an "out for the year" Steven Adams, playing the long game, waited it out, and now have a highly impact center on a bargain deal. His defensive leadership at POA is outstanding.
- Rockets currently have the #1 offense in the league, while defense, a strength from last year, has fallen to 19th (14th/4th last year), so paying a premium for White is not a good use of assets, especially at this extraordinary price.
- If we are moving on from FVV, it needs to be a POA defender, as a floor general, no longer seems necessary.
- We shouldn't be over paying for any PG. Waiting out FVV and just developing Reed in the interim is still a viable path forward.

[gswhoops]

My thought process:

- The second best pick between PHX and BK in 27 is one of the best pick trade assets out there. Both teams are terrible with little hope of improvement next year. This could easily be a top 4 pick.
- My price tag for Eason would be 1 good first, or 3 mid firsts. The Bulls are undefeated in a weak conference. This tracks to a late 26 first, which is an absolute non starter. Would just replace with our own first rather than this.
- White has looked bad this year. He is on the wrong side of 30, and has a long contract, which is decent at last years production, but will likely get worse as White gets worse (due to age).
- I have Eason and White as comparable in value.
- FVV has dead money this year, but will still be a good player on a decent deal next year. We sent a handful of seconds for an "out for the year" Steven Adams, playing the long game, waited it out, and now have a highly impact center on a bargain deal. His defensive leadership at POA is outstanding.
- Rockets currently have the #1 offense in the league, while defense, a strength from last year, has fallen to 19th (14th/4th last year), so paying a premium for White is not a good use of assets, especially at this extraordinary price.
- If we are moving on from FVV, it needs to be a POA defender, as a floor general, no longer seems necessary.
- We shouldn't be over paying for any PG. Waiting out FVV and just developing Reed in the interim is still a viable path forward.

I think you are substantially overvaluing Eason here

[LarsV8]

I think you are substantially overvaluing Eason here

I am not advocating anyone pay that price, that is simply what I would demand if someone wants to buy something that I don't want to sell.

He was off limits in the Durant deal, who is better than White, no reason to believe he would included here.

[parsnips33]

TBH I'm good as long as the Rockets don't get him lol

[BK_2020]

3 FRP for Eason is wild. This is a guy who's getting 24 mpg at age 24.

[One_and_Done]

I just don't think the Celtics are interested in moving White.

[One_and_Done]

My thought process:

- The second best pick between PHX and BK in 27 is one of the best pick trade assets out there. Both teams are terrible with little hope of improvement next year. This could easily be a top 4 pick.
- My price tag for Eason would be 1 good first, or 3 mid firsts. The Bulls are undefeated in a weak conference. This tracks to a late 26 first, which is an absolute non starter. Would just replace with our own first rather than this.
- White has looked bad this year. He is on the wrong side of 30, and has a long contract, which is decent at last years production, but will likely get worse as White gets worse (due to age).
- I have Eason and White as comparable in value.
- FVV has dead money this year, but will still be a good player on a decent deal next year. We sent a handful of seconds for an "out for the year" Steven Adams, playing the long game, waited it out, and now have a highly impact center on a bargain deal. His defensive leadership at POA is outstanding.
- Rockets currently have the #1 offense in the league, while defense, a strength from last year, has fallen to 19th (14th/4th last year), so paying a premium for White is not a good use of assets, especially at this extraordinary price.
- If we are moving on from FVV, it needs to be a POA defender, as a floor general, no longer seems necessary.
- We shouldn't be over paying for any PG. Waiting out FVV and just developing Reed in the interim is still a viable path forward.

Eason is not nearly as good as White.