Grizzlies exercise Xavier Tillman Sr.’s team option for 2023-2024

The Memphis Grizzlies announced on Monday that they have opted in to the team’s 2023-2024 option on the contract of Xavier Tillman Sr.

Considering the contract is valued at roughly $1.9 million for the coming season, choosing to keep “X” around is not overly surprising. He filled in admirably for the injured Steven Adams this past season, replicating as best he can the things that Adams excels at as a screener and rebounder. Tillman Sr. isn’t Adams’ equal, but he was the best option the Grizzlies had to fill that sizable void.

What Tillman Sr. brings to the table that Adams does not is defensive versatility. When Dillon Brooks struggled defending LeBron James in this past season’s postseason series, it was “X” who took on the assignment on a consistent basis. In last season’s playoffs Tillman replaced a healthy Adams in the lineup as a defender of Karl-Anthony Towns. Tillman is laterally quick enough to stick perimeter-based bigs somewhat successfully while also limiting the impact of true bigs.

While his offensive game is limited beyond his ability to pass and roll/cut off of screens, when combining the malleable defensive impact with his leadership (he willingly chose to play in the G-League when minutes were sparse last winter) and the $1.9 million option “X” staying in Memphis is a no brainer.

Tillman Sr. now looks ahead to a season that’s significant for a future extension of that contract if the Grizzlies are interested. But if Memphis was wise, agreeing on a team-friendly deal this summer may not be a bad idea. He’s proven to be a ready and willing member of this team, and should be cap-friendly enough to make sense as a long-term for player for the Grizzlies.