The Boston Celtics came into the trade deadline with a lot of possibilities. They came into the deadline as a team that could either pursue a mega trade or do nothing. They could become buyers or be sellers to slide under the luxury tax.
Boston made the decision to trade for Nikola Vucevic in exchange for Anfernee Simons. Not only did that help fill an on-court need, but it saved them some money. After that trade was executed, they were just barely over the luxury tax and fully under the first apron.
Right before the trade deadline expired, the Celtics made a move that fully got them under the luxury tax.
GettyBoston Celtics forward Xavier Tillman dribbles the ball. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics Slide Under the Luxury Tax With Shrewd Move
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Celtics traded Xavier Tillman to the Charlotte Hornets with cash consideration. That deal gives the Hornets $3.5 million and allows the Celtics to get out of the luxury tax. It’s a shrewd move for a team that got much better at the deadline.
On the court, Tillman hardly played this season. He ended up playing just 14 games for Boston this season. He was out of the rotation, only playing in garbage time. Trading him away to get under the luxury tax is a no-brainer, especially if Jayson Tatum returns.
This move gives the Celtics three open roster spots. At least one of them needs to be filled, so they might not be under the luxury tax for long. They could skirt that by signing some players to 10-day contracts, which would help them stay under the luxury tax.
Because they are under the luxury tax, they could use one of those roster spots in the buyout market. They can go up to $14.5 million if they want to. Cam Thomas was recently waived, and he would fit that Simons role off the bench well. He might be targeted to fill that spot.
GettyBoston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum reacts. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Celtics Are One of the Few Contenders to Get Better at the Deadline
Boston made some solid trades at the deadline. The trade for Vucevic makes them better heading into the final stretch of the season. They were one of the few contending teams for this season that made a deal that will affect how the playoffs will shake out.
Right now, the Celtics have the best offense in the NBA. That is without Tatum on the floor. Their offense would only get better if he were to return to the roster this season. It is still unclear if Tatum is going to return this season, despite his desire to do so earlier in the year.
If he does return, Boston might become the favorites to win the Eastern Conference. Making strong moves is something that Brad Stevens is starting to get known for. He has put this team in an excellent position to win big not just this year, but for the next few years.
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