Former Spartan Xavier Tillman has a new NBA home

Former Michigan State star Xavier Tillman has found a new NBA home after being traded from the Grizzlies on Wednesday.

With the NBA trade deadline closing at 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 8, a former Spartan is on the move. The Memphis Grizzlies have traded Xavier Tillman to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday afternoon.

The Memphis Grizzlies are trading F/C Xavier Tillman to the Boston Celtics for two second-round picks, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2024

Tillman was selected 35th overall in the 2020 draft by the Grizzlies. He carved out a larger role than most anticipated and proved he belongs at the NBA level. Tillman was averaging roughly 20 minutes per game for Memphis this year. He produced 6.0 points, 1.0 blocks, 1.2 steals, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game this season.

Memphis is in a lost season after losing star guard Ja Morant for the year. Morant isn’t the only injury Memphis has dealt with though. The Grizzlies recently faced the Celtics with 13 players on their roster injured in some capacity. With the season lost, it makes sense for Memphis to be active at the trade deadline to try to maneuver assets that will help them create some needed cap space for the future.

Tillman now has the opportunity to make an impact on a team destined for the playoffs. The Celtics currently hold the NBA’s best overall record at 38-12.

Michigan State fans know Tillman looks best in green and white. His presence is missed in East Lansing but Spartan fans will be cheering for him to have success and continue to show the toughness that got him to the league and develop into a consistent role player.