Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Celtics' Trade Deadline Acquisition Set to Debut vs. Bulls
At his media availability the day after the trade deadline, Brad Stevens said that acquiring an upgrade behind Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, someone who could play alongside either one and operate as a stand-alone big, was the team's top priority.
The Boston Celtics president of basketball operations told Inside The Celtics about that search about a month earlier, "What you look at is guys that can play, guys that can add value."
Danny Ainge's successor continued, "But like I said last year, (they) don't need to play. They are over themselves. And I think that that's important. That's what we have right now."
In Xavier Tillman, an individual the team has long admired, they added an individual who checks all the boxes in their search to bolster their depth up front.
Between left knee soreness that caused him to miss his last four games with the Memphis Grizzlies and Boston wanting to be patient with his return to play, which also afforded him more time to familiarize himself with the C's schemes at both ends, the former Michigan State Spartan's debut donning Kelly green had to wait until after the All-Star break.
But when the Celtics, sitting atop the NBA standings at 43-12, resume play Thursday night in Chicago, Tillman appears poised to be in the lineup for the first time since they brought him on board to help their pursuit of Banner 18.
As for Jaden Springer, their other trade-deadline acquisition -- here's a scouting report on the 21-year-old who's quickly impressed while defending the likes of Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic, and Stephen Curry -- his Boston debut may have to wait.
The former Philadelphia 76er is dealing with a right ankle impingement. The Celtics list him as questionable for Thursday's matchup vs. the Bulls, who, at 26-29, are ninth in the Eastern Conference.
While the visitors have assigned rookie Jordan Walsh to their G League affiliate in Maine, no one else is on their injury report for their first tilt after the All-Star break.
Further Reading
Jaylen Brown Praises All-Star Snub: 'Excelling His Game at a Rapid Pace'
Jayson Tatum Addresses Discourse Around His MVP Candidacy
Jaylen Brown Doesn't Win Dunk Contest but Delivers Most Poignant Moment
Jayson Tatum's Approach vs. Nets Tale of Two Halves and Steadfast Commitment
Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot
Brad Stevens Sheds Light on Celtics' Motivations for Xavier Tillman Trade
Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans
Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'
Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'
Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'
