The Celtics searched for a big man leading up to Thursday’s trade deadline who could play alone or together with Al Horford or Kristaps Porziu0146u0123is. That led them to Xavier Tillman Sr., a low-cost rotation center struggling on offense through a disastrous season in Memphis, but remaining among the highest-rated defenders in the NBA. He makes an expiring $1.9 million and cost a pair of second round picks.
“We’ve always liked Xavier. He is, obviously, big and strong, moves his feet well laterally, so he’s been able to guard a number of people at a number of different positions well,” Stevens said on Friday after the deadline.