Did the Boston Celtics nearly trade Derrick White to the Cleveland Cavaliers? From what we are hearing, a call may have been made about the Colorado native’s availability as a trade target, but one with interest entirely on the side of the Cavaliers. It depends on how one parses the words of Cleveland Dot Com Cavs beat writer Chris Fedor, who recently pulled back the curtain on what Cleveland’s front office was up to before the 2026 NBA trade deadline, in which they ultimately dealt for vet guard James Harden.
“If it wasn’t Harden, it might’ve been someone else,” writes the Cleveland Dot Com reporter. “The Cavs wondered about Boston’s appetite for moving Derrick White — a nonstarter given Jayson Tatum’s speedy recovery from a ruptured Achilles.”
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Does this mean the Cavs called about White and were turned down given where Tatum was at in his recovery process?
Mar 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) drives to the basket Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) during the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
It certainly sounds like it could have happened, though a close read could also suggest internal conclusions about the Colorado alum’s availability as well. In the end, it doesn’t matter much save perhaps — if you believe Celevand was rebuffed for White — that this means they may not have an appetite to move him now, either.
Interestingly, the Celtics guard is not the only Bostonb alum the Cavs looked to instead of Harden, per Fedor. “They contemplated a Jrue Holiday swap with Portland given Holiday’s defensive acumen and championship pedigree, ultimately determining he wasn’t enough of a reliable offensive engine,” he writes.
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Evidently they had some interest in Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks as well, but eventually went with Harden.
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Did the Celtics nearly trade Derrick White to the Cavaliers?