In a matter of months, Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens was able to transform his salary sheet from one of the NBA’s most expensive to one that evades luxury tax penalties, all while the team itself has remained a contender. Stevens’ final stroke to accomplish that feat occured on Thursday as he traded Xavier Tillman to the Charlotte Hornets. Stevens has also traded Josh Minott, Anfernee Simons, and Chris Boucher this week. The Boston Celtics traded Xavier Tillman Sr. to the Charlotte Hornets, sources tell ESPN. This gets the Celtics out of the luxury tax. Hornets get $3.5 million in the deal.— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2026 According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Celtics’ projected salary and luxury tax after the Tillman move sat at $186.5 million. Comparing that to the $540 million on June 15, you begin to see the miraculous work that Stevens has done in less than a calendar year. Through all the roster changes, the Celtics sat at 33-18 on Thursday, winners of four in a row and tied for second place in the Eastern Conference standings. Story continues below advertisement The fact that Boston went from miles over the second apron to completely under the luxury tax in two transactions windows (offseason and trade deadline) AND have maintained being a playoff team is remarkable.Incredible work on the part of everyone involved. Gap Year Schmap Year. — Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) February 5, 2026 It’s still unknown whether or not Jayson Tatum will return this season, but on the whole, this has been a wildly successful year for the Celtics from a basketball and financial standpoint, especially when compared to expectations. Story continues below advertisement Boston will continue its season on Friday when it hosts the Miami Heat at TD Garden.