“We’ll definitely be in the mix.” That was Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. just this week, vowing to be aggressive on the trade market. It’s the kind of statement you have to make when you’re tasked with maximizing what’s left of the Steph Curry championship window. But it also overlooks the impossible tightrope he’s walking. The Warriors aren’t just a team looking to add talent; they’re a team staring down the barrel of a financial apocalypse. And now, a new trade rumor perfectly captures that dilemma: targeting Derrick White.
The rumor mill started churning when NBA insider Pasha Mardan dropped a fascinating nugget on X. He reported that the Warriors have spoken with the Celtics about a deal for Derrick White, but he added a crucial piece of context: “Derrick White will be the next name to watch for next unless Boston receives strong enough offers for Jaylen Brown so far nothing has intrigued them, sources tell me.” Mardan then followed up with a more direct report: “The Golden State Warriors have talked with the Celtics about what it will take to get a deal done for White, per sources.” It frames White as a potential Plan B for the Celtics, a situation the Warriors might be able to exploit. The basketball fit is a no-brainer.
The Golden State Warriors have talked with the Celtics about what it will take to get a deal done for White, per sources. https://t.co/ktXRhqRcGm
— Pasha Mardan (@PashaMardanNBA) June 25, 2025
Here’s where it gets interesting. At first glance, you might wonder why the Celtics, a team that just won a championship, would even consider trading a core piece like White. The answer is simple: they’ve been forced into a “retooling” year. With Jayson Tatum’s devastating Achilles injury likely sidelining him for all of next season, Boston has already made two shocking trades, sending out Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis to duck under the NBA’s punitive “second apron” of the luxury tax.
But according to a report from longtime journalist Steve Bulpett, they might not be done. The Celtics are reportedly trying to trade up into the draft lottery to target Kasparas Jakucionis, a big, playmaking guard out of Illinois. Trading White and his $28 million salary would be the clearest path to acquiring the assets and financial flexibility needed to make such a move.
But while the basketball logic is sound, the financial reality for the Warriors is a nightmare. As per the Ball Report, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, and Jonathan Kuminga account for roughly 106% of the Warriors’ projected salary cap for next season.
(This is a developing story…)
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