Would the Celtics have completed the Xavier Tillman Sr. trade without giving this up to the Grizzlies?
The Boston Celtics were the greatest club in the NBA throughout the bulk of the 2023-24 season. This demonstrates how well-organized the entire roster is after the team loaded up on more studs (Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday) throughout the offseason. Their current roster provides the best opportunity for Jayson Tatum and company to win the team’s 18th championship.
At present, not only do the Celtics have the league’s best record, they also have the league’s best net rating. They are currently outscoring their opponents by 10.3 points per 100 possessions, which means that the average Celtics game is a blowout. Thus, they didn’t exactly need to make any needle-moving acquisitions at the trade deadline to cement themselves as contenders, for every team in the association (other than the reigning champion Denver Nuggets) is looking up at them.
Nonetheless, even though the Celtics did not exactly make a trade that would set the franchise back in any capacity, one move stands out as something that may not have been the most optimal Boston could have done.
Celtics’ biggest mistake at 2024 NBA trade deadline: Using Lamar Stevens to match salary in the Xavier Tillman Sr. trade
Make no mistake about it, the Celtics’ decision to trade away Lamar Stevens in the Xavier Tillman Sr. deal is not an egregious mistake at all. Stevens hasn’t played too many minutes for the Celtics, while adding Tillman makes perfect sense for a team that’s loading up for the playoffs. But should Boston have traded away someone else in Stevens’ place?
The Celtics acquired Stevens in the offseason after he was waived by the San Antonio Spurs, and the 26-year old forward immediately endeared himself to the prominent members of the organization. Jayson Tatum, in the aftermath of the trade, even went as far as to call Stevens a “key guy” to their team thanks to his “personality and how hard he worked”. Tatum even said that the locker room misses Stevens’ presence.
These are the types of individuals who can be extremely beneficial to a squad with competitive goals. It is critical to maintain the locker room atmosphere. If Lamar Stevens was truly beloved by players like Tatum, he was a vital component of the team despite his little contributions on the court.
Plus, if postseason viability is on the Celtics’ mind, why did they opt to trade Stevens, who might at least provide the club with a few minutes on the wing if Boston gets into a lot of foul trouble? Stevens doesn’t attempt to do too much when on the court. But it’s a guarantee that he’ll give it his all every time he plays.
Lamar Stevens has scored in double figures in each of his first three games with the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 12.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. The Grizzlies have gone 2-1 during that time, including a tremendous victory over the Milwaukee Bucks despite being so undermanned.
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