Celtics trade Xavier Tillman to the Grizzlies in exchange for Lamar Stevens.

Celtics trade Xavier Tillman to the Grizzlies in exchange for Lamar Stevens.

On Thursday, October 19, 2023, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Boston Celtics forward Lamar Stevens rebounds the ball after missing his jumper in the second half of an NBA basketball preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets. (Photo by Erik Verduzco for AP)

On Wednesday, the Boston Celtics acquired Xavier Tillman from the Memphis Grizzlies for two second-round picks, marking their first transaction of the trade deadline week.

In return for Tillman, Boston is giving the Grizzlies a 2030 second-round pick via Dallas and an Atlanta second-round pick via 2027 to Memphis.

As part of the deal, Boston is also sending Lamar Stevens to the Grizzlies, a league source confirmed to MassLive. Stevens’ modest $1.8 million salary can be traded for Tillman’s veteran’s minimum deal, which allows for salary matching. With this move, Boston will be able to keep their roster open until Thursday’s trade deadline and retain their $6.2 million Grant Williams transferred player exemption.

This season, Tillman has alternated between starting and reserve roles in Memphis while also nursing a knee issue. In 34 games, including 13 starts, he is averaging 6.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while playing an average of 20.6 minutes per game. This is his fourth NBA season.

Following the Tillman transaction, league sources tell MassLive that Boston is expected to make another move before the trade deadline. Losing Stevens in the Tillman trade may indicate the team intends to add another player to the wing position, as Stevens has expressed a desire to increase the depth of the wing position on the squad.

Six additional second-round draft selections, including two for the 2024 draft, are still up for grabs for Boston.

In the last year of his deal, Tillman is making $1.9 million. This offseason, he will be free to sign with any team. When he enters free agency, Boston will still be able to use his Bird Rights.

After the current trade deadline, six possible targets for a Celtics buyout

The Celtics strengthened the depth of their roster by making a few small, peripheral transactions, as many had anticipated. But given that they still have some wiggle room after Thursday’s trade deadline, they made three astute transactions.

In exchange for Grizzlies center Xavier Tillman, the C’s gave up Lamar Stevens and two second-round selections. Then, they sent a second-round pick out in exchange for 76ers wing Jaden Springer. Finally, they acquired a top-55 protected second-round pick in exchange for trading Dalano Banton to the Trail Blazers.

The 15th roster place is still available for the Celtics, providing them some choices. Either they might examine the names on the buyout market, or they might consider moving two-way big man Neemias Queta up to a regular contract spot. In any case, the C’s probably have more roster tweaks in store because they dealt Banton to Portland for a purpose.

Notably, a recent amendment to the CBA limits the Celtics’ ability to sign any player they choose. The C’s are prohibited from signing players who have earned more than the non-taxpayer midlevel exception of $12.4 million because they are above the first apron on the salary ceiling. Therefore, a player who was bought out and made more than that amount is not eligible to join with the Celtics during the buyout.

However, there are still a few names that may be worth considering. It should be noted that while these negotiations are still ongoing, some of these players may end up being bought out. The following six players are names the Celtics might find intriguing:

Jazz musician Otto Porter Jr., $6.3 million

Porter was connected on the trade market to the Boston Celtics. However, he moved from the Raptors to the Jazz as part of the Kelly Olynyk trade. Porter may suit the Celtics in the buyout market, however it’s unclear if Danny Ainge will buy the wing out. Despite his history of injuries, Porter has a lifetime 3-point percentage of about 40% and a track record of success in the playoffs. Certainly, for a depth player, there are.

Spurs: Cedi Osman, $6.7 million

Osman has averaged 7.3 points and 2.5 rebounds in 51 games (one start) this season with the Spurs as a substitute player. Interestingly, he has made 37.3% of his 3-pointers. Although there’s no guarantee the Spurs will purchase the wing, as a depth player he would be a valuable asset to any postseason team. Osman may be able to find a new team to free up minutes as he also plays in front of several young players in San Antonio.

Pistons: Danuel House Jr., $4.3 million

After being traded from the Pistons to the 76ers on Thursday, House was waived by the former team. He is therefore a candidate in terms of availability, but the group may wait until after the deadline to announce the names that emerge. Before being moved, the 6-foot-6 wing averaged 4.2 points and 1.7 rebounds in 34 games (four starts) for the Sixers.

Troy Brown Jr., $4 million, Pistons

During the trade deadline, the swingman was traded for point guard Monte Morris and sent to the Pistons. Due to their roster shortage, the Pistons are unsure at this time whether they will keep the seasoned wing on the club or cut other players after adding many players beyond the maximum 15 before the trade deadline. This season, the 24-year-old made 37 appearances for Minnesota, scoring 4.2 points and pulling down 1.9 rebounds per contest. Considering his youth, he probably would have preferred a larger role than Boston could provide.

Nets: Thaddeus Young, $8 million

After being included in a deal with Dennis Schroder in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie, the power forward is returning to the Nets. Young has averaged 5.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 23 games this season while playing in the Raptors’ slot. If the 35-year-old isn’t getting regular minutes there, the Nets may let him try to find a better opportunity at a championship. The Nets are still vying for a play-in tournament spot. In his 16-year career, Young has never advanced past the second round of the playoffs.

Kings’ Robin Lopez, $2.5 million

After adding Xavier Tillman on Wednesday, the Celtics’ need for a real center decreased somewhat. But adding Lopez might add some spice to a hypothetical playoff game between the Celtics and the Bucks, after Milwaukee traded the big man to the Kings on Thursday. Sacramento intends to waive him, according to several sources. Neemias Queta is likely a stronger contender for this position than the 15-year veteran because the 35-year-old is only averaging 1.1 points per game in his 16 outings this season.