Xavier Tillman averaged 6.0 points and 4.6 rebounds for the Grizzlies this season.
The Boston Celtics have added some frontcourt depth for their playoff run, the team announced. The Celtics are acquiring big man Xavier Tillman from the Memphis Grizzlies for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2030 second-round pick. Memphis also receives Lamar Stevens from the Celtics in the deal.
Celtics receive:
- Xavier Tillman
Grizzlies receive:
- Lamar Stevens
- 2027 second-round pick (via Hawks)
- 2030 second-round pick (via Mavs)
What trade means: Boston is the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and has been for several months now. However, as it approaches the playoffs, it is looking to strengthen and deepen its frontcourt rotation for potential matchups with the likes of the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, and other East contenders.
In adding Tillman, the Celtics get a rugged big man who is in the midst of a solid overall season (6.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.7 apg) for the injury-ravaged Grizzlies. Boston is already the No. 1 rebounding team in the league (47.5 rpg) and Tillman’s addition should only serve to strengthen that aspect. His shooting is a bit of a concern (40.8% overall, 22.6% on 3-pointers), but he has been thrust into a larger-than-expected role for Memphis this season.
Last season, as a key part of Memphis’ 51-win team, Tillman posted career highs in scoring and rebounding (7.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg) and shot 61.4% overall. In the 2023 playoffs, he bumped those numbers to 8.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg and 3.2 apg while shooting 53.3%.
Stevens has played sparingly for the Celtics this season, averaging 2.8 ppg and 1.6 rpg in 6.4 mpg, appearing in 19 games overall. Before joining Boston this season, he spent the previous three seasons with the Cavaliers and was regularly in Cleveland’s rotation during that time.
