Celtics Land Vučević in Trade with Bulls - A Move That Balances Needs and Numbers
The Boston Celtics have made a notable move ahead of the trade deadline, sending Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for veteran center Nikola Vučević and a second-rounder of their own. It’s a deal that speaks as much to roster fit as it does to financial strategy - and both teams walk away with something to show for it.
Let’s break down what this trade really means for both sides.
Boston Celtics: Grade - B
The Celtics came into this season with a clear identity and a championship-caliber roster, but one area remained thin: center depth. Neemias Queta has stepped up admirably in the starting role, showing flashes of being a long-term contributor.
But come playoff time, relying on Luka Garza as a primary backup was never going to cut it. That’s where Vučević comes in.
Now, let’s be clear - Vučević isn’t a perfect player. His defensive limitations have been exposed in past postseason runs, and he’s not the kind of rim protector who can anchor a defense on his own.
But in Boston? He won’t have to be.
The Celtics’ defensive infrastructure - built around Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White - is strong enough to cover for him in a reduced role. And that’s the key here: Vučević won’t be asked to do too much.
He’ll be a change-of-pace big, a veteran who can give them 15-20 quality minutes and stretch the floor in ways their current bigs can’t.
Stylistically, this is where the move really makes sense. Queta is a classic rim-runner - a vertical threat who sets hard screens and protects the paint.
Vučević, on the other hand, gives Boston a pick-and-pop option and a high-post facilitator. He’s not Horford, and he’s not Porziņģis, but he’s closer to their mold than anyone else on the roster right now.
That kind of offensive versatility matters in the playoffs, when matchups tighten and teams need to be able to pivot on the fly.
But this trade wasn’t just about basketball. It was also about the books.
Boston came into the week roughly $12 million over the luxury tax line. That’s a big number for a team already dealing with repeater tax penalties - and the league’s new collective bargaining agreement isn’t exactly kind to big spenders.
By moving Simons, the Celtics shaved off about $6 million from that overage. That still leaves them $5.9 million above the tax threshold, but it’s a meaningful first step toward potentially resetting the repeater tax clock.
That’s a long-term win, especially for a franchise looking to keep its core intact for years to come.
The challenge now? Finding a way to clear the rest of that money.
That’s easier said than done. Most of Boston’s roster is made up of low-salary players, and there’s not a lot of “bad money” to move.
Trading someone like Sam Hauser would help, but he’s a valuable rotation piece and a homegrown success story. Re-trading Vučević is another option, but that would mean punting on the frontcourt depth they just addressed.
So, for now, the Celtics sit in a bit of a middle ground - closer to their financial goals, but not quite there yet.
The good news? They’ve now dipped below the first apron, which opens up the possibility of signing a buyout player who was making more than the non-taxpayer mid-level exception before getting waived.
No obvious targets have emerged yet, but with the trade market heating up, there’s a decent chance a playoff-tested veteran shakes loose. Boston is now in position to pounce.
Losing Simons does hurt, though. He was starting to find his rhythm in Boston after years of putting up numbers on non-contending Portland teams.
His scoring punch off the bench was valuable, especially with injuries mounting. But with Tatum expected back soon, the Celtics can absorb that loss - and realistically, they weren’t going to commit to Simons long-term anyway.
This was a move about now and the future, and it checks both boxes.
Chicago Bulls: Grade - B-
On the surface, this looks like a pretty simple move for the Bulls - swap out a veteran big for a younger guard and pick up a second-rounder in the process. But there’s more going on here than meets the eye.
First off, Chicago is clearly leaning into a new strategy at this deadline: be a facilitator. They’ve already added Mike Conley and Jaden Ivey in separate deals, and they’re taking on salary from other teams in exchange for draft capital. It’s a smart play for a franchise stuck in the NBA’s no-man’s land - not bad enough to tank, not good enough to contend.
This deal fits that mold. Vučević, while still productive, didn’t have a long-term future in Chicago.
The Bulls weren’t going to build around him, and his timeline didn’t match where the rest of the roster is headed. By flipping him for Simons and a pick, they get a younger player with upside and a chance to see if he fits into their future plans.
And let’s not overlook the second-round pick. It might not sound like much, but Chicago is reportedly getting the most favorable of four teams’ second-rounders (Pelicans, Blazers, Knicks, Wolves). That could end up being a pretty valuable asset come draft night.
Simons gives the Bulls a scoring guard who can either slot into the starting lineup or lead the second unit. He’s under contract, still relatively young, and has shown he can get buckets in bunches. He’s not a perfect fit alongside Coby White, but with White potentially on the move before the deadline, this could be a precursor to a bigger backcourt shakeup.
Bottom line: the Bulls are playing the long game, and that’s the right call. They’re not chasing short-term wins or clinging to a core that’s already hit its ceiling.
Instead, they’re using their cap space and veteran pieces to stockpile assets and add intriguing young talent. It’s not flashy, but it’s smart - and that’s a welcome shift for a team that’s often lacked a clear direction.
Final Thoughts
This is one of those trades that doesn’t make headlines but could have ripple effects down the line. For Boston, it’s about bolstering their playoff rotation and managing a tricky financial puzzle. For Chicago, it’s another step in a quiet but calculated retooling process.
Neither team hit a home run here, but both moved the needle in the right direction. And with the trade deadline still looming, don’t be surprised if this deal is just one piece of a larger puzzle for each franchise.