It's incredible how Brad Stevens has become a master at managing these contracts and more importantly — getting players to re-sign. There are countless deals left and right retaining their core and then some. However, signing Xaver Tillman may quietly be the best signing of the free agency period.
The 25-year-old penned his contract and agreed to stick around in Boston for at least two more seasons.
Tillman was a huge spark off the bench and relieved both Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford very well. He provided energy and never let the flow of offense drop while being on the court — a huge part of why the Cs were so dominant during the postseason. Joe Mazzulla's bench had so much depth that he was unafraid of sitting down his star players.
Whether it was Tillman, Sam Hauser or Payton Pritchard there was not much of a change at all.
On top of this re-signing, Stevens also managed to re-sign another parade fan-favorite, Luke Kornet, on a one-year deal and Drew Peterson on a two-way contract.
There's just something that Stevens does or has that makes these players want to stay and it's more than just the fact they are the NBA champions — these guys are not even taking up most of the playing time but still elect to choose the latter.
A quick look at Xavier Tillman's career
The six-foot-seven big man began his career with the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2020-21 season where he averaged 6.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.
Fast forward to this past championship campaign, he logged 4.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists but that "drop-off" or however you'd like to call it resulted in a ring.
Surely, that was well worth it in the end and regardless he's still getting paid — hence, the contract above.
The most notable moment by Tillman this season has to be his corner three-pointer during Game 3 of the NBA Finals — sending the bench into a frenzy.
This make was his only attempt and conversion throughout the entire playoffs.
He's loved and appreciated not just in the locker room but by Boston itself. It's more than just basketball with Tillman.
