Xavier Tillman, Celtics agree to two-year deal

Xavier Tillman, Celtics agree to two-year deal

The reigning champion Boston Celtics are running it back! No, literally, they are!

According to ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Celtics are re-signing forward Xavier Tillman to a two-year deal.

Free agent F Xavier Tillman has agreed on a two-year deal to return to the Boston Celtics, sources tell ESPN. Tillman averaged 5.3 points and 3.9 rebounds last season. pic.twitter.com/Z1510rRVs6

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2024

Tillman, 25, will sign a two-year minimum; his cap hits will be worth $2.2 million and $2.5 million through 2025-26, according to Spotrac.

The 6-foot-8 forward was acquired ahead of February’s trade deadline from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for two second-round picks. He was primarily and 8th or 9th man off Boston’s bench, averaging 4.0 points and 2.7 rebounds in 13.7 minutes per game.

He had some important spot minutes across their playoff run when Kristaps Porzingis (calf) was inactive. His numbers weren’t crazy; he never totaled more than three points or four rebounds in any of the eight games he played in. Though he netted a positive plus-minus in all but two of those games, playing his role as a multipositional defender with a high motor.

The Celtics have done an amicable job retaining their core on multi-year deals–most recently signing Derrick White to a four-year, $127 million extension. Should they sign No. 30 pick Baylor Scheierman, they will have a 14-man roster set unless other moves are made around the fringes.

Derrick White Signs Extension With Celtics for 4-years $125.9 Million

In four years, he’s averaged 6.0 points and 4.1 rebounds on 52.2 percent shooting and 57.9 percent true-shooting. He adds a blend of toughness and versatility that Boston doesn’t have much of in the frontcourt, even though he doesn’t space the floor like Porzingis does.

Regardless, he’s good for 10-15 spot minutes per night as an impactful role player alongside Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, White and Jrue Holiday. They’re running it back!

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This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned for updates.

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