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Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens retains displaying his brilliancy because the Celtics make a run for banner 18.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens added some insurance coverage to the group’s roster in hopes of profitable their first championship since 2008.
Previous to Thursdays’ NBA commerce deadline, the Celtics acquired ahead Xavier Tillman from the Memphis Grizzlies, in change for Lamar Stevens and two second-round picks. Tillman, a former Michigan State Spartan, was chosen No. 35 within the second spherical of the 2020 draft. In his fourth season with Memphis, the 6’8 ahead is averaging 6.0 factors, 1.2 steals, 1.7 assists, and 4.6 rebounds.
Tillman was a dependable playoff starter in opposition to the lakers final season
22 PTS 💥 13 REB 💥 10/13 FG#GLeagueAlum Xavier Tillman went off for a CAREER-HIGH scoring efficiency and a season-high in rebounds to assist the @memgrizz earn a gritty Recreation 2 win over the Lakers within the #NBAPlayoffs! pic.twitter.com/GRSQJsHjWW
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) April 20, 2023
In 34 video games performed,Tillman has began 13 of them. He made headlines final season, when he logged stable minutes in opposition to LeBron James and the Lakers within the playoffs first spherical. All through six matchups with Los Angeles, Tillman averaged 8.7 factors, 6.3 assists, and eight.0 rebounds. He amassed 4 steals and 4 blocks in six video games. In two of these matchups, he completed +10 and +11 on the court docket, which is spectacular for a fourth-year participant with solely three seasons of restricted playoff expertise.
Within the deal, Boston will ship a 2027 second-round choose through the Atlanta Hawks, and a 2030 second-round choose from the Dallas Mavericks to Memphis. By shifting Lamar Stevens, the transfer creates a wage match for Tillman. Set to earn simply over $2 million this season, Stevens will change into an unrestricted free agent within the offseason. Tillman’s $1.9 million wage matches completely inside the price range of the Celtics, holding them within the second apron area.
As well as, the cope with go into the Celtics $6.2 Million commerce participant exception following the Grant Williams commerce. With the exception, they’re grants providing groups an extra option to signal gamers, in accordance the Spotrac. With this transfer, the Celtics can have one roster spot open.
He is a powerful, underrated defender
Some Xavier Tillman protection. pic.twitter.com/5WK5jPHQzs
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) February 7, 2024
For the Grizzlies, they’ve been riddled with accidents all season lengthy, together with 13 gamers listed as out in opposition to the Celtics final Sunday. A 18-33 report, Memphis stays 4th within the Southwest Division, and owns the sixth worst report within the NBA. 3-7 of their final ten video games, they are going to look to subsequent yr. This transfer comes after Memphis traded away middle Steven Adams to the Houston Rockets, in change for Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks.
At present hampered by a knee harm, Tillman hasn’t performed since Jan. 29 vs. Sacramento. Moreover that, he instantly brings depth and protection to Boston. Rating within the 99th percentile amongst defenders within the NBA, he ought to slot in properly among the many Celtics frontcourt. With that stated, he’s a stable screener, who’s averaging one block and one steal in below 21 minutes performed per sport. He’ll slot in completely with Joe Mazzulla’s tradition, as a participant who will hustle and contest loads of pictures.
Whereas he hasn’t been a lot of a distinction maker on the offensive finish, Tillman joins a C’s group that rank third in defensive rating (110.6), behind the Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers. Their defensive score amongst forwards is third finest within the league, and Boston is tied with Oklahoma Metropolis, for essentially the most blocks per sport (6.6). Holding opponents to 110.7 factors per sport, Boston stays within the prime 10 in opponent paint factors (47.6).
The Celtics add a lot wanted frontcourt depth and energy
OH MY XAVIER TILLMAN 😮 pic.twitter.com/kPbndqBIww
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 12, 2021
The Celtics have been in search of frontcourt depth, and Tillman properly provides some insurance coverage. Relationship again to the 2023 NBA Draft, Stevens was meticulous in planning for the second and the long run. It’s a must to give credit score the place credit score is due, hat’s off to Brad Stevens. He turned the twenty fifth general choose into rookie Jordan Walsh and 4 future second-round picks.
With Kristaps Porzingis restricted by some accidents, Al Horford and Luke Kornet are to deal with the duties when he is out. With Tillman, it offers Boston a much-needed addition within the frontcourt, together with Sam Hauser and Kornet. At occasions, the ahead even performed the middle place when former Grizzlies middle Steven Adams was out with harm.
Though he is a free agent in the summertime, Tilmann offers the Celtics an additional physique that may defender at a excessive stage. With their eyes set on a championship, this proves why Brad Stevens is likely one of the finest within the enterprise.
At 38-12, the Celtics personal the very best report within the NBA, and he’ll be a part of a full the frontcourt that consists of Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Luke Kornet, Neemias Queta, and Oshae Brissett.
The Celtics subsequent host the Atlanta Hawks tonight on the TD Backyard. The Grizzlies will host the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night.
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