A league source verified to The Athletic that the Boston Celtics have acquired Xavier Tillman from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for two future second-round choices. According to a source with knowledge of the matter, Lamar Stevens is also included in the transaction. The news was initially reported by ESPN.

At twenty-five and in the last year of his rookie contract, Tillman is among the top frontcourt defenders available to the Celtics. Tillman is ranked in the 99th percentile of all defenders by Estimated Plus Minus. Even though he only plays 20.6 minutes a game, he is one of just 14 players who averages at least one block and one steal every game.

Although Tillman’s offensive production hasn’t been great this season, he was far more efficient earlier in his career, indicating that with much more quality surrounding him, his shooting percentages may rise. He will let Boston to play some more large, tough lineups, even if they don’t.

He was able to join the Celtics without affecting the other players on the team. Their front staff made what appears to be a very shrewd decision. Tillman’s defensive flexibility should offer them more toughness and more alternatives behind Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford.

Luke Kennard: A deceptively attractive trade prospect
Now that they’ve sold Steven Adams to Houston in an effort to help clean up their books before the offseason, Memphis is less likely to move Kennard. The Grizzlies still anticipate being above the luxury tax for the next year, though. They could deal for Kennard, who is valuable on the trade market and would be a huge offensive boost for teams that need more shooting, if they wanted to avoid that.

Kennard is among the top ten shooters in NBA history, perhaps. If you think it’s overkill, keep in mind that he has averaged 10 points per game and made 45.9 percent of his five 3-pointers a game since 2020–21. In NBA history, there have been 80 seasons.

whereby players have made at least 3.5 attempts each game at a minimum percentage of 44 percent from three. Only three players—Stephen Curry, Kyle Korver, Steve Nash, and Kennard—have accomplished it at least three times. (And he’s expected to repeat the feat this season.) In addition, Kennard is a deft passer and cunning playmaker.

Unquestionably, Kennard is, at most, a below-average defender. However, if surrounded by a strong roster, he can really support a playoff team’s second unit and even function as a fifth starter.

He has some flexibility with his deal, which pays him $14.8 million this season with a team option for the same amount the next year. He might be a season-long rental for any team that makes an acquisition , a long-term participant, and/or a summer transferable asset. It will take a serious deal to entice him to leave Memphis, as the Grizzlies could easily stick onto him and use him into next season for the same reasons.

Beyond Kennard, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Memphis combine their group of younger wings after Vince Williams and G.G. Jackson made their breakthroughs. The Grizzlies could deal with any combination of Jake LaRavia, Ziaire Williams, David Roddy, and/or John Konchar, but I don’t see them dealing any of those two. They are not rated on this list since none are currently on the trading block. Nonetheless, the Grizzlies should realign their personnel.