For the first time in what feels like forever, the Boston Celtics are stepping into the 2025-26 NBA season without the weight of championship expectations on their shoulders. The team that has been a perennial powerhouse in recent years finds itself in unfamiliar territory after a turbulent offseason that saw major roster shakeups and a devastating injury to their star player. But if you think the Celtics are ready to roll over, think again. Derrick White, the All-Defensive guard and heartbeat of the team, is making it clear: Boston is still coming to fight.
This summer, the Celtics’ front office was forced to make some tough calls to manage the salary cap, resulting in blockbuster trades that sent shockwaves through Celtics Nation. Fan-favorite Jrue Holiday was shipped to the Portland Trail Blazers, and Kristaps Porzingis landed with the Atlanta Hawks. Adding to the turmoil, Jayson Tatum, the franchise cornerstone, is sidelined for the entire season as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles tendon. With additional departures like Luke Kornet and the absence of veteran Al Horford, the Celtics are down three of their five starters from last season’s squad.
White, now in his fifth year with Boston, opened up about the seismic shift on his White Noise podcast. “It’s definitely going to be different. It has to be,” he said with his trademark candor. “We lost KP, Jrue, Luke, and obviously JT being out. So, you lose three out of five starters. And even Al. It’s a younger team now.”
Since joining the Celtics in February 2022, White has been a cornerstone of a consistent core that included Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and others. That continuity is gone, replaced by a roster brimming with new faces and untested potential. But White isn’t fazed. He sees opportunity in the challenge.
“Ever since I’ve been in Boston, we’ve had the same core,” he explained. “We still have a lot of guys who know how we do things—me, JB, Sam (Hauser), Payton (Pritchard). But the biggest adjustment will be getting everybody accustomed to how we do things in Boston, how we like to play, how we operate.”
The Celtics’ roster overhaul brought in a wave of fresh talent, including Anfernee Simons, Josh Minott, Luka Garza, Chris Boucher, and a quartet of rookies headlined by RJ Luis Jr., acquired via trade last month. These newcomers face the daunting task of adapting to head coach Joe Mazzulla’s fast-paced, defense-first system. But according to White, they’re already putting in the work.
“I’ve heard everybody is already out there in Boston, pretty much,” White said, referencing the team’s early arrivals at the Auerbach Center. “They’re getting a head start before training camp. And once we’re out there, we’re just hooping. We’ve got a bunch of competitors.”
That competitive fire is what defines the Celtics, even in a season where oddsmakers might count them out. The team may not be hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June, but don’t expect them to tank, either. Every player who’s spoken about the upcoming season—White included—has made one thing clear: the Celtics don’t do surrender.
White’s words carry weight because he embodies the Celtics’ ethos. The gritty guard, known for his relentless defense and clutch shot-making, has become a fan favorite for his willingness to do whatever it takes to win. His vow to keep Boston’s standards sky-high is a rallying cry for a fanbase that lives and breathes green.
“We’re not lowering the bar,” White emphasized. “We’re going out there to compete every single night. That’s what Boston is about.”
As the Celtics prepare to navigate uncharted waters, White’s leadership will be crucial. With Jaylen Brown stepping into the spotlight as the team’s undisputed leader and young talents like Pritchard and Hauser ready to take on bigger roles, Boston is poised to surprise. The new guys? They’ll learn fast—or they’ll feel the heat of TD Garden.
Celtics Nation, get ready. This team may look different, but the fight in their hearts is as Boston as ever. Derrick White just dropped the mic, and the 2025-26 season is about to erupt.