Although speculation about a possible reunion seemed improbable, it’s unexpected that this ex-Celtic ended up joining a team that is not in the postseason contention.
The Boston Celtics didn’t wait until deadline day to get a deal done. They struck early to swing a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies for Xavier Tillman.
As detailed while breaking down the six-foot-eight, 245-pound former Michigan State Spartan’s game, the financial aspects of the equation, and sharing a conversation Inside The Celtics had on this subject with the franchise’s president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, Tillman is in the 99th percentile in defensive estimated plus-minus,Additionally, he possesses strong passing skills and exhibits a high basketball IQ, suggesting that he will likely have a greater offensive influence when playing alongside the talent of the team currently leading the NBA standings, now with a record of 39-12 following a 125-117 triumph against the Atlanta Hawks.
The acquisition of Tillman effectively put an end to the possibility of a reunion between Boston and Kelly Olynyk. While there were reports of interest from the former in such a reunion, it was always a scenario that seemed unlikely to this writer.
As expected, the ten-year veteran is indeed on the move, transitioning from the Utah Jazz to the Toronto Raptors in a surprising turn of events. Despite being pursued by multiple playoff contenders, he ultimately finds himself north of the border with a team currently sitting at 18-33 and 12th in the Eastern Conference standings.
In the trade, Olynyk, along with former Kansas Jayhawk Ochai Agbaji, heads to Toronto in exchange for a 2024 first-round pick, Otto Porter Jr., and Kira Lewis, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
There’s speculation that Porter, who was reportedly a target for the Celtics, might become available in the buyout market and potentially join Boston to bolster its efforts in pursuing Banner 18 at the TD Garden, alongside Tillman.
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