At the trade deadline last year, the Boston Celtics traded for Xavier Tillman from the Memphis Grizzlies. The Celtics acquired Tillman to bolster their big man depth and further solidify an already elite defense. Tillman had a smaller role in his half-season in Boston than he did in Memphis. This became especially evident in the playoffs when he only appeared in eight games. However, in the games he did play, the Michigan native developed and showed how valuable he can be to Boston.
After helping the team win their first title since 2008, Tillman signed a two-year, $4.8 million contract to remain with the Celtics. Now in his first full year with the Celtics, things have not gone so well for Tillman. He has only appeared in 23 games so far, averaging 7.6 minutes. Additionally, he has only logged 10 or more minutes in two games since November. However, regardless of being out of Boston’s rotation, Tillman has made it clear he has “zero regrets” about re-signing with the Celtics.
“I mean, bro, we’re the reigning champs,” Tillman said, beaming. “To say that I’m on the best team in the world is amazing. So, I definitely stand by the decision that I made, and I’m making the most out of the opportunities that I have each and every day. I have zero regrets.”
Celtics Champ Has ‘Zero Regrets’ About Major Offseason Decision
Xavier Tillman’s Celtics Career Is Not Over
Despite not getting a lot of playing time so far this season, Tillman still has a role in Boston. When the Celtics acquired him, many compared him to a lesser version of Al Horford. Both big men are switchable and provide a lot of value on defense. Additionally, Tillman worked on his three-point shot since coming to Boston. While he is not on the same level as Horford, there are similarities in their games. Additionally, with Horford turning 39 this year, his career could realistically come to an end after this season. Keeping Tillman would make sense for Boston in this case.
It is also important to recognize that each big man on Boston’s current roster has different strengths and weaknesses. There are plenty of traits Tillman has that players like Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta do not. As the season progresses, it would not be a surprise if Tillman gets more opportunities.
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Even with Tillman on the bench for most of the season, the Celtics are still primed for another deep playoff run. Nearly halfway through the season, Boston is 28-11 and owns the No.2 seed in the East. They remain a top team in the league and are in a good position to repeat as champions. There is a lot more competition in Boston’s way this season, however. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder are both ahead of Boston in the standings and are great on both sides of the ball. Come playoff time, these will likely be the three main teams to monitor. However, as long as they stay healthy, the Celtics will have the chance to remind everybody why they are the reigning champions.
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