Durant's Rockets Pursue Derrick White in 3‑Team Deal

Merlin sees a three‑team proposal that would send Derrick White to the Houston Rockets, Fred VanVleet to the Brooklyn Nets, and prospect Sheppard plus draft assets to the Boston Celtics — with Houston giving up two future firsts and swapping pieces to make salaries work. It’s meant to plug Houston’s biggest hole: a veteran lead guard to pair with Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün, while Boston sheds payroll in a season some fans call “soft tanking,” and Brooklyn monetizes its remaining cap room. Merlin notes the trade is as much financial alchemy as roster building: Boston drops under the luxury tax and gains youth and flexibility, Brooklyn cashes a pick for absorbing salary, and Houston gains a proven playoff creator at the cost of upside and future picks. The deal needs timing quirks (bonuses, waivers, contract tweaks) to align — so it’s plausible, but delicate.