Celtics Sad News: Celtics Coach Hints On Porzingis, Buyout Market Clause.

When they were teammates with the Grizzlies, Xavier Tillman used to ask Marcus Smart about the experience of playing in Boston, never expecting to get the opportunity before the end of the season, writes Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. Seeking help in the frontcourt, the Celtics acquired Tillman from Memphis on Wednesday in exchange for Lamar Stevens and a pair of second-round picks. He’s looking forward to experiencing first-hand everything Smart said about Boston fans.

“The main thing he told me is it’s very similar to Memphis in terms of the grit and the grind and how hard you have to work for the fans and appreciation and stuff like that,” Tillman said. “And once you do show that you’re willing to hustle, they’re going love you. I love it.”

The Celtics had their eyes on Tillman for several years and considered selecting him in the 2020 draft, Himmelsbach adds. Memphis took him with the 35th overall pick, and he has built a reputation as a hard worker and versatile defender during his four NBA seasons.

“It’s crazy, to be honest with you,” Tillman said. “I’ve always watched the Celtics in terms of just the winning history of it, back with [Kevin Garnett] and all that stuff and seeing these guys repeatedly go to the Eastern Conference finals all the time, I’m always locked in on that. So for me to get the opportunity to be part of a winning organization, it’s pretty awesome.”

There’s more from Boston:

• Kristaps Porzingis wasn’t disturbed approximately being passed over as an damage substitution for the All-Star Amusement, Himmelsbach includes. Trae Youthful and Scottie Barnes were chosen this week to require the put of Joel Embiid and Julius Randle. “Of course there’s a few distinction in that and possibly five a long time back that was something that was continuously on my intellect, but it doesn’t alter anything,” Porzingis said. “To be genuine there’s a enormous portion of me that’s kind of upbeat I can go to Miami or some place where there’s sun, get a few tan, lift a few weights, plan my body for the rest of the season and after that postseason.”
• President of ball operations Brad Stevens had been trusting to obtain Jaden Springer from the Sixers since observing him when their groups met within the preseason, agreeing to Jared Weiss of The Athletic. Stevens got his chance when Philadelphia selected to empty the 21-year-old protect to protect budgetary adaptability. Weiss notes that Stevens too confronted an direness to include ability some time recently the due date since of the restrictions that will be set on groups over the charge overskirt beginning this summer.
• A Celtics get-together with Danilo Gallinari shows up improbable, Brian Robb of MassLive states in a mailbag column. The Cylinders postponed Gallinari on Friday, but Robb accepts his portability is still influenced by last year’s ACL tear, causing groups to target him on defense. Robb sees Otto Watchman as a more alluring choice in the event that he comes to a buyout with the Jazz, but he cautions that Boston would confront competition from a few groups.