Celtics add frontcourt depth in first move ahead of trade deadline
With the NBA trade deadline just over 25 hours away, the Boston Celtics have made their first move of the offseason. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Celtics have acquired forward Xavier Tillman from the Memphis Grizzlies.
Tillman, 25, entered the NBA as a second-round pick in 2020 out of Michigan State and has spend his entire career in Memphis. So far this year the 6-foot-8, 245-pound forward has appeared in 34 games for the Grizzlies, making 13 starts. In 20.6 minutes per game he’s averaged 6.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals while shooting 40.8 percent from the floor.
READ MORE:
—How will the Celtics use their biggest TPE?
—Will Jaylen Brown take part in this year’s Slam Dunk Contest?
—Full Celtics coverage
In exchange for Tillman the Celtics will send two second-round picks back to Memphis. One is a 2027 pick they got from the Atlanta Hawks, the other is a 2030 pick they got from the Dallas Mavericks. Forward Lamar Stevens is also heading to Memphis in the deal in order to balance salaries and allow the Celtics to retain their TPEs. The Celtics get Tillman on an expiring $1.9 million contract.
Tillman joins a Celtics front-court that currently has Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and Neemias Queta in the rotation. The question now is, will the C’s make any further additions? Stay up to date with our NBA Trade Deadline tracker.
NBA Trade Deadline Tracker: The latest news and rumors
Welcome to the 98.5 The Sports Hub NBA Trade Deadline Tracker. Get the latest trade news and rumors across the league.
The hometown Boston Celtics are armed with a traded player exception (TPE) for $6.3 million, which they have until Thursday’s deadline to use. They’ve already made one pre-deadline addition, acquiring big man Xavier Tillman from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Lamar Stevens, a 2027 second-round pick, and a 2030 second (via The Celtics are sending a 2027 second via Atlanta and a 2030 second via Dallas to the Grizzlies, sources tell ESPN. Boston gets Tillman, a young, versatile frontcourt player who gives them some depth for a championship run. https://t.co/29KABsBums
DALLAS, TEXAS – JANUARY 09: Xavier Tillman #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 09, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
There have already been plenty of pre-deadline deals around the NBA in recent weeks, most notably Pascal Siakam heading to the Indiana Pacers.
MORE: Celtics add frontcourt depth in first move ahead of trade deadline
Read below for the latest trade deadline news & rumors. The trade deadline passes at 3 p.m. ET.
Celtics Make Two Last-Minute Deals
The Celtics made two small trades to close out the trade deadline for themselves, swapping one guard for another. They acquired Jaden Springer from the Sixers and sent Dalano Banton to the Blazers, with second-round picks going in each deal. For the C’s, it’s essentially Banton for Springer. The latter should provide them with solid defensive depth in the backcourt.
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 07: Jaden Springer #11 of the Philadelphia 76ers goes up for a shot as Dejounte Murray #5 of the Atlanta Hawks defends during the first half at State Farm Arena on April 7, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Beverley To Bucks
The 76ers are making another trade, their third in the past 24 hours. This time, they’re sending the biggest piece out. According to
Milwaukee is acquiring Patrick Beverley from the 76ers for Cam Payne and a second-round pick, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shams, they’re sending Patrick Beverley to the Bucks for Cam Payne and a second-round pick. Some veteran backcourt help for Milwaukee. (The 76ers are trading Patrick Beverley to the Bucks, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2024" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Woj had the Beverley part first.)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 30: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles as Patrick Beverley #21 and Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers defend during the second half at Barclays Center on January 30, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 121-104. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Grant Williams On The Move
Former Celtics forward Grant Williams is being traded again. As first reported by
Charlotte is trading PJ Washington to Dallas for package around Grant Williams, Seth Curry and a first-round pick, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/ROf64V5XgK
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shams Charania, the Mavericks are acquiring P.J. Washington from the Hornets for Williams, Seth Curry, and a first-round pick. The 25-year-old Washington is a solid frontcourt pickup for a Western Conference team in the playoff hunt. Williams, meanwhile, is already on his third team in less than a calendar year.
DENVER, COLORADO – NOVEMBER 3: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets goes to the basket against Grant Williams #3 of the Dallas Mavericks during the NBA In-Season Tournament game at Ball Arena on November 3, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)
Spencer Dinwidde To Toronto
As reported by Woj, the Nets and Raptors are swapping some players. Spencer Dinwiddie is headed to Toronto for Dennis Schröder and Thad Young. Woj had to
Clarify: Thad Young is coming to the Nets in the trade with DENNIS Schroder, sources said. https://t.co/wBNclK9TNu
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">clarify the trade on X. Dinwiddie is shooting just 39.1 percent this season, well below his career norms, so we’ll see if the change of scenery sparks him.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 18: Spencer Dinwiddie #26 of the Brooklyn Nets defends a shot from Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the preseason game at TD Garden on December 18, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Mavs, Wizards Make Trade
The Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards are making a big man swap. According to
The Washington Wizards are nearing a deal to send Daniel Gafford to the Dallas Mavericks for Richaun Holmes and draft compensation, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Woj, the Mavs are acquiring Daniel Gafford for Richaun Holmes and “draft compensation.” Gafford averaged 10.9 points and 8.0 rebounds in 45 games as the Wizards’ starting center. So, the Mavs are getting legitimate frontcourt help, while the Wizards get another big back in addition to fresh draft picks.
Oct 27, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) and guard Jaylen Brown (7) knock the ball away from Washington Wizards center Daniel Gafford (21) during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Raptors Get Olynyk In 4-Player Trade
The Toronto Raptors are the ultimate deadline destination for big man Kelly Olynyk. And he heads to Toronto along with guard Ochai Agbaji, while forward Otto Porter Jr. and guard Kira Lewis are going to Utah.
The Utah Jazz are finalizing a trade to send C Kelly Olynyk and guard Ochai Agbaji to the Toronto Raptors for Kira Lewis, Otto Porter and a 2024 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/H14MTbDi3U
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski reported the full details.Olynyk’s shooting and versatility will be a nice addition to the Raptors’ lineup. He was previously rumored as a possible target for the Celtics, who have already added Xavier Tillman from Memphis.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 05: Kelly Olynyk #41 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the second quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 05, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Celtics Get Tillman From Grizzlies
The Boston Celtics are making a trade deadline addition to their frontcourt. As reported by
The Celtics are sending a 2027 second via Atlanta and a 2030 second via Dallas to the Grizzlies, sources tell ESPN. Boston gets Tillman, a young, versatile frontcourt player who gives them some depth for a championship run. https://t.co/29KABsBums
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski, the C’s are acquiring big man Xavier Tillman from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2030 second.A terrific defender and rebounder, Tillman is averaging 4.6 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game despite playing just 20.6 minutes. The Celtics are easily able to add Tillman via their $6.3 million traded player exception, as he’s on the books for just $1.9M.
DALLAS, TEXAS – JANUARY 09: Xavier Tillman #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 09, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Jazz Trade Fontecchio To Pistons
Interestingly enough, the last-place Detroit Pistons are acquiring a player. They’re sending a 2024 second-round pick to the Utah Jazz for forward Simone Fontecchio, as reported by
The Utah Jazz are trading Simone Fontecchio to the Detroit Pistons for a 2024 second-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski.We mentioned Fontecchio as a possible trade exception addition for the Boston Celtics ahead of the trade deadline. Cross him off the list. He’ll provide efficient shooting for the Pistons.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – JANUARY 01: Simone Fontecchio #16 of the Utah Jazz drives past Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 of the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of a game at Delta Center on January 01, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
