The Boston Celtics traded forward Xavier Tillman Sr. and some cash considerations to the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, ESPN reported, moments before the NBA trade deadline passed for good.
The Hornets acquired Tillman and $3.5 million in cash, moving Boston away from the luxury tax, similar to the deal that brought point guard Tyus Jones in and out of Charlotte from Orlando on Wednesday.
Tillman had been seeing fewer and fewer minutes since his championship run with the Celtics in 2024, exceeding 15 minutes on the court only five times. During the 2025-26 season, Tillman averaged 2.2 points and 1.8 rebounds per game in 14 appearances.
Tillman was selected by the Sacramento Kings in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft, but was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on draft day. Tillman played three full seasons in Memphis and one full season in Boston.
–Field level media
