The Boston Celtics are making moves - and not just the kind that show up on the scoreboard.
In a cap-conscious decision ahead of the trade deadline, Boston has sent Xavier Tillman Jr. to the Charlotte Hornets, along with $3.5 million in cash considerations. The deal is part of a broader effort by President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens to get the Celtics under the luxury tax line, and with this latest move, he’s officially done it.
Tillman’s departure follows a flurry of recent transactions: Anfernee Simons was dealt to the Bulls, Josh Minott landed in Brooklyn, and Chris Boucher is now with the Jazz. The lone incoming player? Nikola Vucevic, acquired as part of the Simons deal - a veteran big who brings playoff experience and frontcourt depth to a team with championship aspirations.
By moving Tillman without taking a player back, Boston now has three open roster spots. That’s not just a number - it’s a strategic advantage.
It gives Stevens and the front office room to maneuver, especially as the buyout market starts to heat up. And they’re already putting that flexibility to use: Amari Williams, originally on a two-way contract, has been bumped up to a full NBA deal for two years.
It’s a sign the team sees long-term potential in the young big man.
Tillman’s time in Boston was short and, frankly, quiet. Acquired from Memphis back in February 2024 for two second-round picks and Lamar Stevens, he never quite found his footing in Joe Mazzulla’s rotation.
Over three seasons, he appeared in just 67 games, averaging 3.5 points and 2.8 rebounds on 40.8% shooting. For a team as deep and defensively versatile as the Celtics, there just wasn’t a consistent role for him.
Now, Tillman gets a fresh start in Charlotte - a young team still finding its identity, but with talent and opportunity to spare. He’ll reunite with Charles Lee, a former Celtics assistant now leading the Hornets as head coach, and join forces with Grant Williams, another ex-Celtic who’s working his way back from a torn ACL. It’s a chance for Tillman to reset and carve out a role on a team that could use his physicality and basketball IQ.
For Boston, the trade deadline hasn’t brought any splashy blockbuster deals, but that doesn’t mean Stevens has been sitting on his hands. Quite the opposite.
These moves are about positioning - creating financial flexibility, maintaining roster depth, and keeping the core intact. Outside of Simons, no key contributors from the first half of the season have been moved, which speaks volumes about the team’s belief in its current rotation.
With three open spots and some cap breathing room, expect the Celtics to be active in the buyout market - not just to plug holes, but to potentially add another piece for a deep playoff run. And with Vucevic now in the fold, they’ve already added a proven veteran who can help them in the postseason grind.
Bottom line: Boston isn’t just playing for this season - they’re playing the long game. And with Brad Stevens pulling the strings, the Celtics are staying aggressive without compromising the chemistry that’s gotten them this far.