Celtics add frontcourt depth in first move ahead of trade deadline
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 29: Xavier Tillman #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies battles Daniel Theis #10 of the LA Clippers for position during the second half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on December 29, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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.
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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.
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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 Adrian Wojnarowski). Adding Stevens to the deal allowed the Celtics to keep their TPE.
![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)](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2024/01/Xavier-Tillman-Grizzlies.jpg)
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.
Alex Barth is a digital content producer and on-air host for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Barth grew up in the Boston area and began covering both the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, and Boston Red Sox in 2017 before joining the Hub in 2020. He now covers all things Boston Sports for 985TheSportsHub.com as well as appearing on air. Alex writes about all New England sports, as well as college football. You can follow him across all social media platforms at @RealAlexBarth.