The Boston Celtics aren’t just making noise at the trade deadline-they’re sending a message. With the acquisition of veteran big man Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls and the elevation of rookie center Amari Williams to a standard NBA contract, Boston’s front office is doubling down on a win-now mentality. The moves not only shore up a frontcourt that’s been a bit thin at times but also give the Celtics some much-needed clarity and depth heading into the stretch run.
Let’s start with Williams, who agreed to a two-year, $2.7 million deal, per his agent George S. Langberg.
For a player who began the season on a two-way contract, this is a big step-and a well-earned one. Drafted 46th overall by the Magic last year and flipped to Boston on draft night, Williams has been grinding it out between the Celtics and their G League affiliate in Maine.
But when his number was called, he didn’t just show up-he made a case for staying.
His first NBA start came in a tight 114-111 loss to the Bulls, where he got the nod over more seasoned options like Chris Boucher and Xavier Tillman. That alone speaks volumes about how the coaching staff views his potential.
In his second start, he logged six rebounds, two points, two assists, and a block in a solid team win over the Hawks. Then came his breakout performance: nine points, seven rebounds, and two blocks in 26 minutes during a 102-94 win over Portland.
Amari Williams has agreed to a two-year, $2.7 million deal with the Boston Celtics, his agent George S. Langberg of
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 5, 2026
GSL Sports Group tells @TheSteinLine.
Williams was the 46th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
📷: @nba pic.twitter.com/o85iRVfJjU
Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but they’re the kind of steady, physical contributions that matter in the grind of an NBA season-especially from a young center still finding his rhythm.
And now, with a standard deal in hand, Williams is playoff-eligible. That’s no small detail. The Celtics didn’t just upgrade their depth-they locked in a piece they believe can contribute when the lights get brighter.
Of course, the bigger headline was the trade for Vucevic, a proven interior presence who brings rebounding, scoring touch, and veteran savvy to a team that’s been searching for consistency in the paint. Pairing him with Williams and Neemias Queta gives Boston a more defined center rotation, something that’s been a bit of a question mark throughout the season. The Celtics now have a mix of experience, size, and youth-all under contract and ready to roll.
The timing of these moves is telling. With the trade deadline looming, Boston isn’t waiting for next year.
Even with Jayson Tatum’s long-term future still a talking point around the league, this roster is built to compete right now. The Celtics sit at 33-18 following a dominant 114-93 win over the Rockets-a game they won without All-Star Jaylen Brown.
That mark ties them with the Knicks for the second-best record in the East, and with these latest additions, they’ve addressed two of their biggest needs: rebounding and size.
Brad Stevens and the front office have made it clear-they’re not content with just being in the mix. They’re pushing chips in. And with Vucevic anchoring the paint and Williams showing he belongs, Boston just got a lot tougher to deal with down low.