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:
via &commatjamorant &sol Instagram
via &commatjamorant &sol 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.