In the aftermath of the horrifying events that took place during last season’s playoffs, the Celtics were faced with two options; stay the course, try to contend, pay massive luxury tax penalties, and hinder the roster for the future, or take a “gap year”, sell off enough assets to get under the tax, and reset the roster to make another huge run in a year or two.
But somehow, Brad Stevens and his front office have masterfully found a way to split the difference and seemingly accomplish both goals at once. Trading Xavier Tillman Sr. to the Hornets just ahead of the trade deadline buzzer was the final domino, a cost-cutting move that allowed Boston to narrowly dip below the luxury tax line.