In this series, we’re looking at the biggest statistical differences between last season and the current one to understand how Celtics players have evolved while wearing the same jersey. Not every role change shows up as a scoring spike. Derrick White’s season is proof of that.
Coming into the year, White wasn’t expected to take over the offense. But he was expected to become more central to it. His usage rate increased by 4.7 percentage points — one of the largest jumps on the roster — even as his minutes stayed nearly identical.
That responsibility shows up first in how often the offense now runs through him. White’s assist rate climbed (+2.2%), while his turnover rate dropped (-1.6%), a rare combination that points to cleaner decision-making under a heavier load. At the same time, the share of his field goals that are assisted fell by 14%, another indicator that more of his offense now comes from his own creation rather than the finisher role he held last season, when 68% of his field goals were assisted.
The shift is also visible in where his shots come from. White is attacking the rim slightly less and taking fewer corner threes, but he’s living more often in the middle of the floor. His short- and long-midrange frequencies both increased, along with a jump in pull-up attempts (up 4.1 per game).
This isn’t accidental. It reflects a role that demands more on-ball creation — and also the Celtics’ slight deterioration in shooting talent compared to last season’s elite floor spacing.
That expanded role comes with a cost. White’s efficiency dipped across the board, with declines in both two- and three-point percentage, along with a drop of 14 points per 100 shot attempts. Those numbers don’t suggest poorer shot-making as much as tougher shot quality. White is no longer just punishing defenses with his shooting or connective play. He’s now often responsible for creating the advantage in the first place.
What hasn’t changed is his defensive impact. White’s block rate (+0.8%) and steal rate (+0.5%) both increased, reinforcing his status as one of the league’s best defensive guards. The Celtics didn’t shift his role away from defense — they layered more responsibility onto it, including increased rim-protection duties following the departures of Luke Kornet and Kristaps Porziņģis.
Overall, Derrick White’s season has been about raising his floor as a playmaker and testing his limits. More touches, more creation, fewer easy looks — all while increasing his defensive volume. Same jersey, different job.
Below is an overview of his statistical evolution, via Cleaning the Glass:
