After agreeing to acquire Xavier Tillman from Memphis in exchange for Lamar Stevens and a pair of second-round picks, the Celtics are likely to make another move before Thursday’s trade deadline, league sources tell Brian Robb of MassLive.com.
Although the Celtics aren’t exactly loaded with trade assets, they remain well positioned to make another smaller move. Boston still controls six future second-round picks, and sending Stevens to the Grizzlies meant the club didn’t have to touch its $6.2MM trade exception in the Tillman deal. The C’s also still have an open spot on their 15-man roster.
As Robb writes, president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has been open about his desire to add more wing depth, and the fact that the team was willing to give up Stevens may signal that an addition at that spot is coming.
Here’s more on the Celtics:
- Souichi Terada of MassLive.com takes a look at the Celtics’ roster and depth chart after the Tillman trade and considers what might be next for the club.
- Before news of the Tillman deal broke, Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston previewed the trade deadline for the Celtics. While he acknowledged that a smaller move or two is most likely, Forsberg made the case that the front office should seriously explore the possibility of taking a bigger swing, given that Boston could have an opportunity to solidify its place as a title favorite. Forsberg named Alex Caruso and Deni Avdija as two players worth looking into.
- After not being dealt at the 2023 trade deadline, Payton Pritchard admitted to being disappointed, since he didn’t have the kind of role he wanted in Boston. One year later, he’s averaging a career-high 20.8 minutes per night as a crucial part of the Celtics’ rotation after signing an extension in October. “It’s funny the difference a year will make,” Pritchard said this week, per Jay King of The Athletic. “At the end of the day, it was always the same thing. I wanted to be able to play and be able to play every game. And sweat out there. And really feel like I’m contributing. Fortunately enough, on this team, this year, I feel like I have a role to help the team win.”
- Former Celtics guard Marcus Smart wasn’t available to play on Sunday when the Grizzlies visited Boston, but he got a tribute video and was showered with loving chants by the fans at TD Garden, as King writes at The Athletic. “I’m surprised he didn’t cry, because that was special,” Celtics forward Jayson Tatum said. “He was the fan favorite and everybody knew that. The way he played, he wore his heart on his sleeve and every night, he gave it his all. We have some very smart fans, right, and they saw that and they appreciated that. So, it was just really cool to see. I’m happy for him.”
Boston is well aware of what is happening right now in the Eastern Conference standings. Miami is in 7th place, but with New York (Randle), Philly (Embiid) and Pacers (Haliburton, minutes restriction) the teams in front of them, and Jimmy Butler really starting to heat up ….. They look like they are headed for that #4 slot. Boston has the #1 slot locked up. 2nd round here we come!
I hear the Jimmy Butler had barbecue chicken for his pregame meal to celebrate the Tillmon trade. Hopefully this guy is smarter than Grant Williams, and doesn’t trash talk Jimmy in the playoffs.
#8, #7 and #6 seeds gonna see Boston, Cleveland and Milwaukee 1st round. Miami gonna do all they can to avoid that …. Unless they are 8 seed again matched against Boston.
Milwaukee v Cleveland in 2nd round appears to be on lock. If Darius Garland can stay healthy and productive for the series ….. Milwaukee will not survive this … Don’t know why Doc Rivers did this to himself.