Celtics and Spurs reportedly make four-piece trade ahead of NBA trade deadline

With just over an hour to go until the NBA trade deadline officially hits, the Celtics made their first major move. According to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe, the Celtics are trading wing player Josh Richardson, guard Romeo Langford and a 2022 first-round pick (1-4 protected) to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for guard Derrick White.

UPDATE: The teams will also swap 2028 first-round picks, with the Celtics’ pick that year being top-1 protected, per Brian Robb of MassLive.

White, the 29th overall pick by the Spurs in the 2017 NBA Draft, is in the midst of a career year. The 27-year-old combo guard has been the Spurs’ primary starting shooting guard this season. He’s averaged 30.3 minutes per game over 49 games, scoring 14.4 points per game while shooting 42.6 percent from the floor and 31.4 percent from three while averaging 5.6 assists.

The Celtics have extended control over White, who signed a four-year, $73 million contract extension back in December of 2020, keeping him under contract through the end of the 2025 season. He carries a $15.1 million cap hit his season, with that number increasing by $1.2 million each year over the remainder of the deal.

According to Brian Robb of MassLive, the Celtics used the Evan Fournier trade exception to accommodate White’s salary. At the same time, they created a new TPE by moving Richardson.

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  Highlighting the package heading back to San Antonio is Richardson, who the Celtics acquired in exchange for Moses Brown in a trade this summer. Richardson, who is making $11.6 million this year and is under contract through the end of next season, was averaging 9.7 points per game for the C's off the bench this season.
  
  Langford was drafted by the Celtics 14th overall in 2019, and struggled to stay on the floor through his first two seasons due to injuries. This year, he played in 44 games mostly off the bench, averaging 4.7 points in 16.5 minutes per game.
  
  As for the first-round pick, it is protected for picks 1-4. That leaves the C's without a first round pick for the second straight year.
  
  This is the second trade of the day for the Celtics. They also moved Bol Bol and PJ Dozier to Orlando for a second-round pick, freeing up cap space and roster spots. The deadline officially hits at 3 p.m. Eastern.

• NBA: Philadelphia 76ers at San Antonio Spurs

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  Jan 23, 2022; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Derrick White (4) dribbles past Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris (12) in the first half at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

• NBA: Sacramento Kings at Boston Celtics

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  Jan 25, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Josh Richardson (8) has his pass attempt blocked by Sacramento Kings forward Maurice Harkless (8) during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

• NBA: Washington Wizards at San Antonio Spurs

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  Nov 29, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Derrick White (4) shoots over Washington Wizards guard Raul Neto (19) in the second half at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
• NBA: Preseason-Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics

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  Oct 4, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Romeo Langford (9) drives to the basket during the second half defended by Orlando Magic guard Hassani Gravett (12) at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

• San Antonio Spurs v Houston Rockets

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  Derrick White #4 of the San Antonio Spurs in action against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on January 25, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

• San Antonio Spurs v Los Angeles Lakers

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  LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 23: Derrick White #4 of the San Antonio Spurs attempts a shot in front of Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center on December 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.