Vucevic offered $5 million to buy the Celtics’ No. 9 jersey! White refused and countered: $10 million might be considered.

On February 18th Beijing time, the newly acquired Celtics center Vucevic enhanced the team’s lineup strength. While his addition is a valuable boost, the issue of jersey number overlap with White has stirred some minor concerns.

White stated on a podcast that both he and Vucevic are NBA players who wear the No. 9 jersey. White revealed that after Vucevic joined, he offered $5 million to get White’s No. 9 jersey.

White said: “He mentioned $5 million, but I said that’s not enough. However, if it’s $10 million, I might consider it.”

Wearing the No. 9 jersey, White has secured multiple crucial wins for the Celtics and was a key contributor to the 2024 championship. Since joining the team, White has consistently worn No. 9 and explained the special meaning behind this number for him.

“9 is my favorite number,” he said. “When I see fans wearing No. 9 jerseys at the Garden, I think, ‘Ah, that’s my number.’ It means a lot to me.”

“Seeing a sea of No. 9s from the crowd feels special. My fans recognize me by that number. Unless he has a strong reason to wear No. 9, I might consider it. But I still want to keep wearing No. 9.”

Since joining mid-season 2021-22, White has become one of the most valuable rotation players for the Celtics. He was not only a core contributor to the 2024 title but also a key figure in maintaining the team’s competitiveness this season.

White is averaging 17.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game this season, along with 1.2 steals and 1.4 blocks, making him a perfect all-around role player. His versatility is a major reason for the Celtics’ success—serving as both a defensive anchor and an offensive facilitator.

In his brief time playing for the Celtics, Vucevic has averaged 13.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, clearly an important acquisition. However, it’s evident he does not yet have enough standing to make demands on the team.

After the All-Star break, the Celtics will continue their pursuit of the championship. Therefore, maintaining good chemistry and momentum is crucial. From this perspective, Vucevic not insisting on changing his number is the best choice for both himself and the team. Ultimately, Vucevic switched to jersey No. 4.

The Celtics currently hold a 35-19 record, ranking second in the Eastern Conference and showing strong form. With Tatum expected to return, the Celtics may become even more formidable.