Ja Morant Reacts to Grizzlies-Celtics Trade

Ja Morant reacted to the Memphis Grizzles trading Xavier Tillman to the Boston Celtics
Ja Morant Reacts to Grizzlies-Celtics Trade
Ja Morant Reacts to Grizzlies-Celtics Trade /

The Memphis Grizzlies traded Xavier Tillman to the Boston Celtics before the NBA trade deadline, sending the versatile forward to a contender after 3.5 seasons in Memphis. Tillman has been part of the young Grizzlies' core that has changed the culture in Memphis, and was beloved by his teammates.

Following the deal being made official, Grizzles star Ja Morant shared two posts on his Instagram story for Tillman:

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via @jamorant / Instagramvia @jamorant / Instagram
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via @jamorant / Instagramvia @jamorant / Instagram

This time of year is always tough for NBA players, as there are only a select group of untouchables in the league. Everyone not in this group has the potential of being dealt, and even those not in danger of being traded have to worry about their close friends being sent elsewhere at the deadline.

All of this comes with the business, but it does not make it any easier when a longtime teammate is traded. For Tillman, he gets an opportunity to play for the best team in basketball and a true title contender in the Boston Celtics. While that is a great opportunity, Memphis is the only NBA home he had known prior to this deal, which had to make it bittersweet.

The Grizzlies will miss Tillman, but made this move with an eye for next season as they look to create some flexibility to build their roster around Morant and others.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.