The Boston Celtics made a move ahead of the trade deadline that signals one thing loud and clear: they’re going for it. In acquiring veteran center Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls, Boston added a proven stretch big with playoff experience and a versatile skill set that fits snugly into their system. And while the trade itself is already drawing praise, the ripple effects could be even more significant - particularly when it comes to the looming question of Jayson Tatum’s return.
Let’s start with the deal itself. The Celtics send Anfernee Simons to Chicago - a dynamic scorer who’s been one of the league’s more underrated offensive weapons this season - and in return, they get Vucevic, a two-time All-Star who’s still producing at a high level at age 35.
Through this season, Vucevic is putting up 16.9 points per game on 50.5% shooting, including a solid 37.6% from beyond the arc. He’s also hauling in 9.0 rebounds and dishing out 3.8 assists a night.
That’s not just production - that’s versatility, and it’s exactly what Boston needs.
Vucevic brings size, rebounding, and shooting - a rare trio that makes him a natural fit for a Celtics team that thrives on spacing and ball movement. His ability to stretch the floor will open up even more opportunities for Jaylen Brown, who’s been carrying the scoring load in Tatum’s absence and playing at an MVP-caliber level. The Celtics have leaned on their defense and depth to stay near the top of the East, and this move only strengthens both.
Cedric Maxwell, longtime Celtics voice and former Finals MVP, called it a win-win - and it’s hard to argue. Chicago gets a younger scorer to help retool, and Boston gets a veteran who can help right now.
But the bigger storyline here might be what this trade means for Jayson Tatum.
Tatum has been on the mend since May 2025, and while he’s inching closer to a return, he’s been candid about the internal debate he’s facing. On The Pivot podcast, Tatum opened up about the possibility of sitting out the entire season - not because of health concerns, but out of respect for the team’s chemistry.
“That’s something I’m contemplating every day,” Tatum said. “More so about the team.
If or when I do come back this season, like they would have played 50-some odd games without me. So they have an identity this year or things that they've felt that has clicked for them, and it's been successful, right?
Third team in the East up to this point.”
That’s a level of self-awareness you don’t often hear from a superstar. Tatum knows the Celtics have found a rhythm without him.
They’ve built an identity, battled through adversity, and emerged as one of the league’s best defensive units. Jumping back into that mix midseason isn’t as simple as it sounds - even for a player of Tatum’s caliber.
Still, the addition of Vucevic might change that calculus.
Cedric Maxwell noted that Tatum seems undecided about returning, even after a recent conversation. “That’s the big question mark.
Now, that’s the million-dollar question,” Maxwell said. “I don’t know where he’s at, and I talked to him for a minute.
Talking to him, he seems undecided, like he’s unsure at the moment.”
But now, Boston has made its move. They’ve added a key piece. They’ve signaled to Tatum - and the rest of the league - that they’re not just holding the line without their franchise player; they’re pushing forward.
The Celtics are 31-18 through 49 games, sitting firmly in the top tier of the Eastern Conference. With Vucevic in the fold and Brown leading the charge, they’ve got the tools to make a deep run. But if Tatum decides to rejoin the fight, this team could go from dangerous to downright terrifying.
For now, the ball’s in Tatum’s court. But Boston just made a statement: they’re all in.