Celtics could – Boston is reportedly exploring a one-for-one trade path to bring Rudy Gobert to the front court, with Derrick White listed as the likely outgoing centerpiece because their salaries match. The idea surfaces amid uncertainty about any Giannis Antetokounmpo pursu
The Celtics’ offseason trade chatter has been dominated by Giannis Antetokounmpo. But another name has started to surface in a more immediate way: Rudy Gobert, with Derrick White potentially on the move.
A path for Boston to land Antetokounmpo would almost certainly mean trading away Jaylen Brown, because their salaries match. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reiterated that the Celtics’ chances of trading Brown this offseason are very low. That leaves Boston searching for front-court upgrades without forcing a trade on the scale that Antetokounmpo would likely demand.
One alternative, according to Jake Fischer, is Gobert. Fischer wrote that the Celtics could pursue a deal that would send Derrick White to Minnesota as the main returning piece. White and Gobert have matching salaries, which would make a one-for-one swap possible between the two.
The question, as always with trades, is what each side would want on top of the salary match. The reporting says it’s unclear whether either team would seek additional compensation in the deal.
Fischer’s note also ties the idea to Minnesota’s interest in White. The Athletic’s Sam Amick first reported that interest on Friday morning. Fischer wrote that trading White for Rudy Gobert would represent a clear salary match and added that Boston has inquired about Gobert before—most recently at February’s trade deadline.
At the same time, Fischer wrote that he doesn’t think the Wolves are actively shopping Gobert. Still, Minnesota is described as exploratory and open-minded when it comes to shaking up the roster around its clear alpha, Anthony Edwards.
White’s role makes the potential move feel consequential. He has been a starting guard for the Celtics since Boston traded for him in the 2021-22 season. and he was described as an integral part of Boston’s championship season. But in the playoffs last year, he struggled “mightily” with his jumpshot.
Boston does have options if White’s departure ever became real. Payton Pritchard is available to run the point, and the roster has lineup flexibility, with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum able to play multiple positions.
The Celtics have also been tied to other offseason trade ideas. including a link to Trey Murphy in addition to the Antetokounmpo rumors. Brad Stevens, in his end-of-season press conference, said he would do anything to improve the team this offseason. Boston’s reported targets—whether it’s a centerpiece star like Antetokounmpo or a front-court upgrade like Gobert—suggest that intention has stuck.
Boston is searching specifically for an improvement at center, even after seeing Neemias Queta improve last season. Queta was described as plenty serviceable in the regular season, but foul trouble in the playoffs hurt Boston. Adding Gobert. the reporting suggests. would bring more options on the floor—such as playing Gobert and Queta together at power forward and center. or using Tatum at the four while bringing Queta off the bench.
Gobert’s appeal. in the way this is being framed. is not just about fit. but about what he represents as a proven veteran. He is on the older side as a center. but he is described as a multi-time defensive player of the year who can add interior scoring and offer a consistent presence alongside Tatum and Brown.
The last time Boston made a major splash move at center, it was Kristaps Porzingis—who helped the Celtics win a championship. If the Celtics decide Gobert is the right kind of upgrade, the franchise will be banking on a similar idea: that a bold front-court addition can change the team’s ceiling.
For now, the season’s unanswered question isn’t whether Boston is looking—it’s how far it will go to change the roster, and what it’s willing to give up to do it.
Boston Celtics Rudy Gobert Derrick White Jaylen Brown Giannis Antetokounmpo Anthony Edwards Neemias Queta Jayson Tatum Payton Pritchard Brad Stevens
Why would Boston give up White like that? Gobert feels washed sometimes.
I don’t even know who Gobert is tbh but if they’re matching salaries doesn’t that mean it’s a fair trade automatically? Like the article keeps saying one-for-one so idk why everyone is acting like it’s complicated.
If they’re really trying to get Gobert, White probably gone anyway. But also didn’t they say Giannis too? Sounds like Boston is just throwing darts at players’ names and seeing what sticks. Wolves probably won’t do it unless they get some extra pick or something.
This is just rumor stuff, right? Like “exploring” and “inquired about” before at the deadline… doesn’t mean it happens. Also White for Gobert sounds backwards to me because White seems way more important than some center who blocks shots but can’t move. Celtics fans gonna be mad if they trade away the wrong guy over salary math.