Many like to make it seem that Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics isn't the most important player on the roster. While the Celtics have had a great supporting cast around Tatum for much of his career, it's unfair to say that about one of the top five to 10 players in the NBA.
Tatum is a star for a reason.
However, the second most important player on that team is a bit more questionable. It’s certainly Jaylen Brown, but there have been times when Derrick White has done some big-time things for the Celtics, as one could argue that he's the best role player in the NBA.
Some have suggested that the Celtics could move on from him, but according to a recent report from Hoops Wire, a source noted that the Celtics never came close to trading White during the offseason, despite some of the rumors that circulated over the past few months.
“The Boston Celtics traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers and Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks to get under the second apron. Several NBA teams tried to trade for Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, but the Celtics ‘never came close’ to dealing either player, a source told Hoops Wire,” they wrote.
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It's been noted in the past that if the Celtics were to move on from White, it'd take a massive offer, with some suggesting that they'd be looking for what the New York Knicks had to move for Mikal Bridges.
White is a better player than Bridges, so that doesn't come as much of a surprise.