While everyone is usually focused on the stars when a team wins a championship, it’s selfless players like Xavier Tillman who make winning more special. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have etched their name in the history books, but Tillman will hold a special place in a lot of Boston fans’ hearts. The 26-year-old is a tough and reliable player that the Boston Celtics acquired from the Grizzlies before last season’s trade deadline. He fit right in the locker room, thanks to his likable nature. However, he couldn’t find a lot of minutes on the court. Tillman just suited up for 274 minutes through the season and played just 51 minutes in the playoffs until game three.
With Kristaps Porzingis out due to an injury, Tillman got a chance. The big man grabbed it with both hands and contributed massively. In the 11 minutes he was on the court, he was locked in and played great defense, and even blocked a couple of shots. Then Tillman drilled a corner three, and even though it might not count as much, it built up the momentum. Since then, it has been a rocky ride for the big man, who’s struggled with a few injuries this season, but his performances in the playoffs were enough to get the former Michigan State player a lucrative deal with the champions. So, how much is his deal worth?
What is Xavier Tillman’s current NBA contract?
After completing a successful stint following a mid-season move, the Boston Celtics had a decision to make in the summer. They could either extend Xavier Tillman’s stay or let him hit the free agency. The C’s chose to keep him in their ranks, thanks to his contributions in the playoffs. Tillman inked a two-year deal with the Celtics worth a massive $4.78 million. This guarantees the 26-year-old an annual average salary of $2,392,183. That’s a handsome amount. Moreover, he’s already earned his first paycheck from this lucrative deal. Tillman has made $2,237,691 for the 2024-25 season. This amount is going to get even better for the next season, where he’ll earn $2,546,675 for the 2025-26 season.
Apr 9, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics forward Xavier Tillman (26) passes the ball in front of Orlando Magic guard Caleb Houstan (2) during the second half at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images.
After suiting up for the C’s for two seasons, Tillman is going to hit the unrestricted free agency in 2026. However, given he’s become a rotational piece for the team and head coach Joe Mazzulla rates the 26-year-old highly, he might sign the new deal by then. Mazzulla likes Tillman’s toughness and versatility. “He brings toughness,” Mazzulla said. “He can pass, he’s skilled, high IQ, and obviously a good defender who can play the pick and roll. I’m excited to have him.” So, it might not be a surprise if we see the big man ink another contract with the Celtics come the end of the 2025-26 season. Well, that is something to think about for next summer. Meanwhile, we should take a look at how much he has already made hooping in the league.
How much is Xavier Tillman’s salary in his NBA career so far?
Xavier Tillman’s journey really took off during his time at Michigan State. He had a shaky start to his college career as a freshman, but found his footing during his sophomore year. After playing another year of college basketball, he decided it was time to make the jump to the NBA. Sure enough! He was the 35th overall pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 2020 NBA Draft. However, Sac-Town wasn’t the place he’d ink his first NBA deal. Tillman was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies on draft day itself, and it was in Memphis that he signed his rookie deal. For the 2020-21 season, Memphis signed the rookie on a four-year deal for a whopping $6.53 million.
While he did not have much game time, Tillman did show glimpses of his potential in his rookie year. He registered an 18-point and 14-rebound performance in an OT loss against the Denver Nuggets. Moreover, he also made his play-in debut in the same season. Over the course of the three seasons in Memphis, he put up a few good performances here and there, but that was pretty much it. Soon, his time playing for the Grizzlies came to a halt when the Boston Celtics came calling. The Celtics signed Tillman in exchange for Lamar Stevens and two second-round picks. That is an expensive deal for a young center! However, Joe Mazzulla and Co. backed Tillman, giving him a $4.78 million deal.
This makes you wonder how much he has earned over the years in the league. Well, he earned a stellar amount of $1.3 million as a rookie for the Grizzlies. This was followed by $1.52 million and $1.78 million for Memphis. Last season, he made the swap, starting as a Grizzlies player and ending as a Celtics player. During this time, he made a massive $1.93 million. Overall, Tillman has managed to amass around $6.53 million from his NBA paychecks alone. It makes you think how much a top-10 best-paid player from the defending champion team makes off the court. Moreover, what are his investments outside of basketball?
Does Xavier Tillman have any endorsement deals or off-court earnings?
When your name is attached to the most successful franchise in the NBA, you are always under the spotlight. Moreover, you have a lot of followers and influence, and in today’s world, that’s worth a lot. While Xavier Tillman might not make hundreds of millions like his teammates at Boston. The 26-year-old has his own unique personality and charisma. There are no major public endorsements that Tillman does through his social media or in real life. However, that’s something that can change in the coming seasons.
Tillman is slowly but surely cementing a place in this Boston rotation, and once he does that, brands will soon follow. He’s building a brilliant reputation as a reliable defensive player. Moreover, you have to take into account that he’s still just a 26-year-old. Despite that, his selflessness is something everyone appreciates. So, in the future, he will be an appealing player for the brands looking for a player with a clean image. That is something we can only wait and watch as Xavier Tillman continues his journey with the Celtics.
The post Xavier Tillman Net Worth in 2025: Celtics Star’s Contract, Salary, Endorsements, & Other Details Revealed appeared first on EssentiallySports.
