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Michigan State forward Xavier Tillman, the 35th overall pick in the NBA draft, signed a four-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, which is reportedly one of the largest ever for a second-round pick.
According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, Tillman will receive $4.6 million guaranteed on the contract. That figure ranks just behind the $4.7 million that Atlanta Hawks forward Bruno Fernando received last year as the most guaranteed money for a second-round pick that played in the NBA right after the draft.
The contract terms for second-round picks differ from first-rounders and are not fully guaranteed. Players in the past often haven’t received large guarantees in their contracts while others signed two-way deals or didn’t receive a deal at all.
Contract info for Xavier Tillman, Sr. in Memphis:
$4.6M guaranteed
20/21 $1.3M
21/22 $1.5M
22/23 $1.8M
23/24 $1.9M (Team)Ranks behind Bruno Fernando (also done by @PrioritySports) as the most guaranteed $ of a 2nd rd. pick who played in the NBA right after he was drafted.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 29, 2020
Tillman was named the 2019-20 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 13.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, three assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.2 steals in 31 games. He is viewed as one of the best defensive prospects this year and will help Memphis on that end of the floor.
The Grizzlies traded up to select Tillman in the NBA draft and certainly believe he can play a key role moving forward after handing him one of the largest contracts for a second-round pick.
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