NBA Trade Deadline Week: Celtics Make a Splash, But Are They Done Yet?
Forget deadline day - this year, the NBA got a full-blown deadline week, and the Boston Celtics were right in the thick of it.
With the league’s trade deadline set for Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, the action kicked off early and often.
By late Wednesday, at least 12 trades had gone down, involving 18 different teams and a flurry of big names. We’re talking current and former All-Stars like Anthony Davis (reportedly heading to Washington), James Harden (Cleveland), Jaren Jackson Jr.
(Utah), Darius Garland (Clippers), and Chris Paul (Toronto). And that’s not even including the early January move that sent Trae Young from Atlanta to Washington.
Boston, as they often do this time of year, didn’t sit on the sidelines. They made a notable move on Tuesday, reportedly agreeing to send guard Anfernee Simons to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for veteran center Nikola Vucevic and a swap of second-round picks.
What the Vucevic Move Means for Boston
Let’s start with what the Celtics are getting. Vucevic, a two-time All-Star, brings size, experience, and a reliable jumper to a frontcourt that’s been solid but thin.
At 35, he’s not the rim protector he once was - and frankly never was elite in that area - but he’s still a strong defensive rebounder and can stretch the floor with his shooting. That kind of versatility fits well in Joe Mazzulla’s system, especially with Kristaps Porzingis’ health always a question mark.
The cost? Simons, who had been playing at a high level recently.
But with his $27.7 million expiring contract and Boston’s need to bolster the frontcourt, he was always a prime candidate to be moved. The deal clears some financial breathing room and adds a different dimension to the Celtics' rotation.
Is Brad Stevens Done Dealing?
That’s the million-dollar question. Stevens has been active at the deadline every year since taking over from Danny Ainge, and history suggests he’s not afraid to tweak the roster - whether it’s a minor move or a major swing. Since 2021, Boston’s trade deadline additions have included names like Derrick White (a franchise-altering move in hindsight), Mike Muscala, Daniel Theis, and now Vucevic.
They’ve also used the buyout market to fill gaps, like last year’s signing of Torrey Craig after dealing Jaden Springer. With one open roster spot and a little more flexibility under the tax apron (more on that later), the Celtics have room to maneuver.
Who’s Next on the Trade Block?
With Simons out, Chris Boucher now headlines Boston’s list of potential trade candidates. The 33-year-old forward was expected to play a role this season after signing last summer, but he quickly fell out of Mazzulla’s rotation. He’s only appeared in nine games - just one since Thanksgiving - and recently sat out two straight for personal reasons.
Boucher’s on a one-year veteran minimum deal, which makes him easy to move, and his limited role makes it likely Boston will explore options.
Another name to watch: Xavier Tillman. The reserve big has also seen his minutes dwindle, with Mazzulla giving more opportunities to two-way rookie Amari Williams when either Neemias Queta or Luka Garza is unavailable. That shift makes Tillman expendable, especially if Boston wants to open up another roster spot or bring in a low-cost guard.
Josh Minott is a bit of a wild card. He hasn’t played since late December, but he flashed some 3-and-D potential earlier in the season and is still just 23 years old. Unlike Boucher and Tillman, Minott is under team control through next season - which could make him more of a developmental piece than a trade chip.
What Do the Celtics Still Need?
With Vucevic in the fold, the frontcourt looks deeper. But the backcourt? That’s where the questions start.
Losing Simons leaves Boston light on ball-handlers, and Mazzulla’s already had to adjust. On Tuesday, he shifted Payton Pritchard from the starting lineup to the bench to help stabilize the second unit. That might work short-term, but bringing in another low-cost guard could help balance the rotation.
Scoring is another concern. Simons could create his own shot and stretch defenses - a skill set that’s not easily replaced.
The obvious solution would be getting Jayson Tatum back from Achilles surgery, but that situation is murky. Tatum has reportedly expressed hesitation about returning midseason and is said to be reevaluating whether to play at all this year.
Without a clear timeline for Tatum, it’s tough to pinpoint exactly where the Celtics are vulnerable. That uncertainty could influence how aggressive they are in the final hours before the deadline.
Cap Space, Trade Exceptions, and Financial Flexibility
Now let’s talk money - because Boston’s moves weren’t just about the court.
Trading Simons for Vucevic saves the Celtics $5.9 million and drops them below the NBA’s first luxury tax apron. That’s a big deal. It means they now have access to the full buyout market, not just players making under $14.1 million - a restriction that applies to teams above the apron.
Boston is now less than $6 million away from escaping the tax entirely, which could be another motivating factor in any last-minute deals.
The Simons trade also created a $27.7 million trade exception - one of the largest in the league - that’s valid for the next year. That’s a powerful tool for the offseason, giving Boston the flexibility to absorb a big contract without sending salary back.
Vucevic’s $21.5 million salary was absorbed into Kristaps Porzingis’ existing trade exception, allowing the Celtics to make the deal without taking on additional cap burden.
Final Thoughts
The Celtics have already made a significant move in a hectic trade week, but the clock’s still ticking. With one roster spot open, a fresh trade exception, and some lingering questions in the backcourt, don’t be surprised if Brad Stevens has one more trick up his sleeve.
Boston’s in win-now mode - and every move from here on out is about maximizing this championship window.