5 reasons the Boston Celtics can win 2022 NBA Championship

4. Derrick White can be an X-factor

The Celtics raised some eyebrows at the Trade Deadline when they pushed their chips in to bring White onto the roster. He hasn’t lit things up since making the move to Boston, but they didn’t acquire him to raise their regular season floor.

The idea of adding White to the mix was largely designed to give the Celtics more postseason flexibility. He provides Udoka and his coaching staff another wing to turn to when either Tatum or Brown sits while also giving them another big playmaker who can take advantage of smaller guards that opponents try to hide on him when the Celtics put all three of their best wings on the floor together.

White’s ability to be a quality offensive initiator also takes pressure off Tatum and Brown to carry the load for all four quarters. Not taxing superstars early in playoff games can really help a team that wants to make an extended postseason run. White’s presence in Boston helps the Celtics do just that.

Boston fans are understandably concerned about White’s ability to hit three-point shots when the stakes are high, but he has the ability to impact the game as a ball-handler and cutter to help minimize those weaknesses. He could be a key difference-maker in several likely playoff matchups for the Celtics.