Tillman, who was acquired from Memphis just months ahead of the 2024 championship, was not in the rotation but had become a vocal leader in the locker room and one of the team’s veteran players. He only appeared in 14 games for the Celtics this season, averaging 2.2 points in 7.9 minutes.
Still, despite rarely lacing up, he regularly earned the praise of his teammates and coaches for his professionalism and leadership.
“He’s almost become, quickly, a vet for us,” Joe Mazzulla said. “I’ve been very appreciative of how he’s handled just the trajectory of his role here.”
“Whether he plays or doesn’t play, there’s a level of trust that I have when we do go to him, he’s going to deliver. Because you know who he is on and off the court.”
Tillman’s marquee moment as a Celtic came in the 2024 NBA Finals, when he guarded Luka Doncic and hit a big-time three-pointer in Game 3 to extend the Celtics’ lead. He never became a consistent part of the Celtics rotation, dealing with knee issues for much of the 2024-25 season, but was a clear culture-setter.
“He has a maturity and a professional perspective,” Mazzulla said. “He just gives back to the locker room.”
The Celtics traded three players on trade deadline day
Tilllman is the third Celtic to be traded on Thursday in a cost-cutting move; Chris Boucher was sent to the Utah Jazz, and Josh Minott to the Brooklyn Nets.
Earlier in the week, Anfernee Simons was traded to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Nikola Vucevic.
