Xavier Tillman: 'I Don't Have a Timeline' for Celtics Debut

Xavier Tillman missed the Grizzlies' last four games due to left knee soreness.

Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics were proactive in addressing their primary target before Thursday's trade deadline passed, acquiring Xavier Tillman from the Memphis Grizzlies a day in advance.

The six-foot-eight, 245-pounder from Michigan can operate alongside Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford or work as a stand-alone big.

The 25-year-old, who currently ranks in the 99th percentile in defensive estimated plus-minus, per dunksandthrees.com, has also proven himself in the playoffs, averaging 8.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in Memphis' first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers last season. He also produced nearly a steal and a block per contest.

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Friday, the Celtics' president of basketball operations discussed Boston's move to upgrade its options behind Porzingis and Horford, saying Tillman is "a guy that we've always liked and thought could be of help."

Regarding his role on the team, Danny Ainge's successor stated, "We'll see how that stuff all plays itself out. At the end of the day, there's, what it does is it gives us a lot of flexibility. Our coaches have, we've started with a quote, smaller lineup most of the year, but we play several minutes a game with a big lineup. It just hopefully gives us more options to do either."

Tillman was also present at the Auerbach Center on Friday, where he spoke with local media for the first time.

Regarding how he found out about the trade that sent him to the team sitting atop the NBA standings at 39-12, the three-year veteran conveyed, "I got a call from Zach -- (Grizzlies' executive vice president of basketball operations and general manager Zach Kleiman) -- after I went in for, it was a typical workout session, and he was just kind of giving me the breakdown like, 'Yeah, we're gonna trade you off to Boston,' and he was just telling me how much he appreciated me, and I appreciated him for just being open and honest with everything, and me not finding out on Twitter and all that good stuff, so it was pretty cool."

But after being inactive for the Grizzlies' last four games, including Marcus Smart's return to TD Garden last Sunday due to left knee soreness, the former Michigan State Spartan says there's no timeline for his Celtics debut.

"I still have some time to feel better with my left knee (and) stuff like that. So, I don't have a timeline. We have -- actually, just getting here and meeting with the trainers and stuff like that. So, we'll go through it pretty soon."

While noteworthy, it sounded cautionary and not a cause for concern. Playing Tillman before meeting with the team's training staff would be reckless, especially under these circumstances. Being patient with his return to play also affords him more time to familiarize himself with Boston's schemes and their nuances at both ends of the floor.

Further Reading

Brad Stevens Sheds Light on Celtics' Motivations for Xavier Tillman Trade

Celtics Swing Savvy Deal with 76ers for Jaden Springer

Celtics React to Xavier Tillman Trade: 'We Paid a Lot of Attention to Him'

Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans

Jayson Tatum Shares What Went Through His Mind Seeing Celtics Fans Celebrate Marcus Smart

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Celtics Finding Joy in Basketball and Each Other's Company: 'We've Been Blessed'

Fixated on Winning, Jayson Tatum Again Proves He's Not 'Bored Making the Right Play Over and Over'

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'