The Boston Celtics completed several trades on deadline day. They started by sending Chris Boucher to the Utah Jazz. They acquired John Tonje, who's on a two-way deal, in that transaction, per Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe.
Danny Ainge's club reportedly intends to waive Boucher; he could join a playoff team, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
After that, the Celtics got even closer to dipping below the luxury tax. They did so by sending Josh Minott to the Brooklyn Nets. Like with the Boucher deal, the benefit of this move is financial.
With Boston just $1.7 million above the luxury tax line, it came as a surprise to see the trade deadline buzzer blow without the franchise completing another deal.
Apparently, they had one cooking.
Celtics trade Xavier Tillman Sr.
Over an hour after the trade deadline passed, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Boston is sending Tillman to the Charlotte Hornets. Perhaps, like Boucher, the intention is not for him to stay with the team that acquired him. However, if he does, he will reunite with former Celtics lead assistant and current Hornets bench boss, Charles Lee.
Tillman was a beloved figure in Boston's locker room. After arriving at the trade deadline in February of 2024, he helped them raise banner 18 to the rafters above the TD Garden parquet. Most notably, he blocked Luka Doncic twice and buried a corner 3 as part of a stellar third-quarter that helped the Celtics seize a commanding 3-0 lead in the NBA Finals.
Unfortunately, the business of basketball prevailed. The chance to get underneath the luxury tax was too valuable an opportunity to pass up. Going in this direction offers significant financial relief to the organization. It also puts them one step closer to resetting the repeater tax. Accomplishing the latter means staying under the luxury tax this season and next year.
As Boston backfills its roster while working to stay below that threshold, the team converted Amari Williams's two-way deal into a standard NBA contract.
The rookie from the University of Kentucky has consistently capitalized on his opportunities, including a whirlwind week when the team recently needed his help.
Now, he joins their depth chart on a full-time basis, making him playoff eligible.
It would also make sense for the Celtics to convert another player on a two-way deal. Their options are fellow second-round pick Max Shulga and Ron Harper Jr.
The latter is a veteran who just made a compelling case for that spot. Harper got his first-career start in Boston's 114-93 win over the Houston Rockets. He registered 11 points, nine rebounds, including four at the offensive end, and dished out three assists.
The fourth-year wing also held Kevin Durant to two points on 1/5 shooting, with a turnover, when Harper was his primary defender.
Perhaps investing a draft pick in Shulga gives him the edge. There's also room to convert both players' deals into standard contracts. However, if the Celtics can make an external addition while remaining below the luxury tax, that may be preferable.