Brad Stevens of the Celtics explains his decision to add Jaden Springer and Xavier Tillman at the deadline.

Brad Stevens of the Celtics explains his decision to add Jaden Springer and Xavier Tillman at the deadline.

Boston — Two seasons prior, Brad Stevens acquired Derrick White at the NBA trade deadline, believing the Boston Celtics were better than their middling record indicated. Stevens believed that White would compliment the Celtics’ top players, even if it took him some time to get used to his new squad. White struck him as the ideal match. Naturally, the acquisition had a big influence on Boston’s incredible comeback and NBA Finals run.

Stevens was aware that he would have less alternatives coming up on Thursday.

His goal was not to alter the nucleus of a club that is now leading the NBA with a 39-12 record. He knew he wouldn’t be able to scrape together enough money to pursue any of the most expensive players since he didn’t want to do that. Not just the starters’ chemistry, but the entire Celtics’ worth was in his estimation.

Stevens remarked on Friday morning, “I just think the way that they play together, the understanding of how to play together.” “And I believe it goes beyond the guys that everyone talks about.” This year, there have been a few games where I felt our starters performed admirably at the outset. After that, our bench entered and just flipped it. The way all those groups have come together to perform well together has truly inspired me.

Stevens wanted to add things that could help the Celtics both now and in the future without interfering with anything. That mentality propelled him to trades to acquire Xavier Tillman from Memphis and Jaden Springer from Philadelphia, as he explained at a press conference about the team’s trade deadline activity.

A few of our men have performed incredibly well together,” Stevens remarked. “Therefore, you want to be able to deepen the group’s understanding without necessarily upsetting the group’s equilibrium.”

The Celtics have always admired Tillman’s game, according to Stevens. Stevens stated that the squad has added a large, powerful player in the 25-year-old, who can defend a variety of positions with his footwork.

Because Tillman can play next to one of the team’s other big men or as a center, Stevens thinks he will give the Celtics additional lineup versatility. Stevens stated that Tillman’s team-oriented playing approach is more valuable than his talent set alone.

He passes, competes, and has good game sense, according to Stevens. “Everything that the guys who surround our greatest players with have fortunately brought to the table. He is a skilled player. Thus, we’re happy to have him.

The Celtics, who are currently a second-tier team, anticipate having few options to bolster their lineup in the upcoming years due to their salary constraint predicament. Stevens thought it was critical to bring in players who will be valuable to the club next season. Even though Tillman is in the last season of his rookie deal, he might be a good long-term match, particularly if Al Horford, 37, doesn’t end up playing forever. But Tillman’s premiere might not happen right away.

Despite wearing practice gear during Thursday morning’s shootaround, he acknowledged that he still needs time to heal from the left knee injury that kept him out of his final four Memphis Grizzlies games. There isn’t a set schedule for his return, he stated.

Tillman will probably play in the frontcourt whenever he suits up for the Celtics. Stevens made a suggestion that Springer won’t be as helpful right away. However, Springer fits the profile of a young player who, if he succeeds, might play a long-term role for the Celtics, much like Tillman did. According to Stevens, Springer was being considered by the Boston front office prior to the Philadelphia 76ers selecting him with the 28th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He was taken seventeen spots ahead of the Celtics’ lone draft choice of that year, Juhann Begarin. Stevens claimed to have followed Springer’s progress over the years since the athletic guard arrived in Philadelphia. The Boston front office observed his strong performance in the previous season’s G League playoffs and how.

He excelled in a preseason game against the Celtics, demonstrating his ongoing growth.

Stevens recalled thinking, “Whoa.” “That appears to be a step.”

Springer was one of the youngest prospects selected in his draft class, Stevens said.

“He remains a puppy,” Stevens remarked. “He is 21 years old still.”

But a puppy that can defend itself with some serious barking.

“It’s true that he’s an athlete who can compete in the postseason?” stated Stevens. However, he still needs to grow a lot in order to improve, and he is dedicated to doing so. There is a lengthy runway ahead of him. So, we’ll see how he ends up using this year. Check how it all works together as a team. However, we think well of him.

According to Stevens, the Celtics’ main goal at the trade deadline was to acquire a large player who could play power forward in larger lineups and center in smaller ones. After the Tillman deal allowed them to cross that off their list, Stevens stated that the team intended to utilize a second-round pick to sign a promising younger player. Which brought them to Springer. He said that in the months preceding the trade deadline, the Celtics had multiple discussions with the Philadelphia front office expressing their interest in Springer should he become available.

After also dealing Dalano Banton to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Celtics still have a slot available on their roster. Although he hopes to add to his team’s depth, Stevens stated he does not see any players breaking into the starting lineup. Neemias Queta’s two-way contract might be turned into a regular deal by Boston using that last roster spot, but Stevens hinted that nothing concrete would happen there.

Stevens stated, “Neemie’s done a great job, but we have to continue to evaluate everything for that last roster spot we have opened.”

Stevens stated that the Celtics have just one goal and failed to provide specifics when questioned about Tillman’s possible role.

And that objective is to ultimately prevail, to keep going forward and be the finest version of ourselves that we can be,” Stevens stated.

Stevens is pleased with the Celtics’ current performance. He is pleased with their collective performance. At the last minute, he was never going to make any significant modifications.

“For us, the key is figuring out how to balance defending ourselves this year to give ourselves the best opportunity possible.” “And also give ourselves options going forward because we’re going to be limited in what we can do,” stated Stevens.