The Boston Celtics, currently dominating the NBA with the best record and net rating, made a significant move at the 2024 NBA trade deadline. Despite their strong position, they traded Lamar Stevens in the Xavier Tillman Sr. deal.

While not an egregious mistake, Stevens, appreciated for his locker room presence, was considered valuable by Jayson Tatum. The question arises whether the Celtics could have used another player in Stevens’ place, especially considering his positive impact in limited minutes. 

Stevens, now with the Memphis Grizzlies, has showcased his worth, scoring in double figures and contributing across various stats in three games. The move is seen as a minor mistake in an otherwise solid trade deadline for the Celtics, who acquired Tillman for valuable playoff depth.