The Boston Celtics have finally been bitten by the second apron. Because of that, contributors who played large roles in the recent success of the Celtics have either departed in free agency or been traded to get under the tax. In no position have these losses felt greater than center, where Boston has more likely than not lost all three of its rotational centers from the 2024-2025 season.
Kristaps Porzingis is now an Atlanta Hawk, Luke Kornet is a San Antonio Spur, and Al Horford looks destined to sign with either the Los Angeles Lakers or Golden State Warriors. That leaves Neemias Queta, recent signee Luka Garza, and forgotten rotational piece Xavier Tillman Sr. at the five spot.
Xavier Tillman Sr. Has a Role to Play for Boston This Upcoming Season
Tillman Sr. had undoubtedly the worst year of his career last season, registering career lows in games played, points, assists, rebounds, blocks, and steals. He found time on the court in just 33 games in 24-25, playing seven minutes a game and shooting below 25% from the field. So why is he primed to provide excellent value for Boston this upcoming season?
Because there will be a role for him.
Before the meteoric rise of Kornet in late 2023-2024 and all of 2024-2025, when Porzingis or Horford weren’t manning the five for the Celtics, those minutes were going to Tillman Sr., and he was making the most of them. In his 20 games in the 23-24 season after getting traded to Boston, Tillman Sr. averaged 13.2 minutes a game, averaging four points per game along with 2.7 rebounds.
I know what you’re thinking. Those numbers don’t really pop out as someone who will provide excellent value, or even really any value to the Celtics in the 2025-2026 season, especially coupled with his lackluster performance in the 24-25 season. If two seasons ago, Tillman Sr. was serviceable, what about him brings value to Boston? Simple. His contract.
Set to earn just over two and a half million this upcoming season, Tillman Sr., on the last year of his rookie contract, gives Boston an option to be flexible in trade packages by including his expiring deal.
With NBA salaries skyrocketing over the past decade, players who can provide production to a team searching for the playoffs come with a hefty price tag. According to the website StatMuse, a player in the NBA who provided similar value to Tillman Sr. in 23-24 was Alec Burks, who earned just over $10 million in 23-24. Burks is currently unsigned as an unrestricted free agent.
It will be Queta and Garza who see the majority of the time at center this season for the Celtics, but there will be space for Tillman Sr. to show that he is still an NBA-level player in his contract year. And if there’s not, a team would be willing to take a flyer on a 26-year-old on an expiring deal.
There are many ways Tillman Sr. can provide value to Boston this season, whether that be with his on-court play or as a piece in a trade package.