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Grading the Celtics' 2024 Offseason Moves After Title Win

By Jacob Phillips

May 27, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) react to a play during the first quarter during game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
May 27, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) react to a play during the first quarter during game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
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Celtics Extend Xavier Tillman Sr.: 2 years, veteran minimum

Xavier Tillman
Jun 12, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots against Boston Celtics forward Xavier Tillman (26) during the second quarter in game three of the 2024 NBA Finals at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports / Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Good NBA teams have star power; great ones have star power and depth.

Such is what Tillman brings to the Celtics: he won't lead lineups, he won't be a scorer, he won't send opposing defenses into a panic. What he will do, however, is play great defense and fill in nicely to any role that might be asked of him.

It's easy to forget, but Tillman is just a season removed from starting (and playing well!) for a Grizzlies team that finished second in the Western Conference. He's a hard-nosed, gritty defender whose size (6'8", 245 lbs) belies his quickness and agility. His offensive game is more suspect, but he's been a decent interior presence throughout his career and made one of the biggest threes of the season in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Tillman will almost certainly see an expanded role next season. Between Kristaps Porzingis slated to miss several months and Al Horford's advanced age, he'll have ample opportunity to make an impression following his first offseason in Boston. At worst, the Celtics have a plus defender; at best, he can be a real difference-maker. Don't be surprised if Tillman vastly outplays his minimum deal and makes year two of this contract look like an absolute robbery.

Grade: A+

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