Anfernee Simons’ time in Boston was short but impactful - a half-season stint that showcased his growth and value as a high-level contributor. But as the NBA trade deadline looms, the Celtics are making a move to bolster their frontcourt, sending Simons to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for veteran center Nikola Vucevic. The deal also includes a swap of second-round draft picks.
This trade doesn’t come as a shock. Simons, acquired in the offseason deal that sent Jrue Holiday to Portland, had been a frequent name in trade rumors since the summer. His $27.7 million expiring contract made him a logical candidate for a midseason move, especially for a Boston team looking to address its size and depth up front.
Still, there’s no denying Simons made the most of his time in green. The 26-year-old guard was a model of consistency, appearing in all 49 of Boston’s games - the only player on the roster to do so.
Coming off the bench, he brought a scoring punch that few second units in the league could match. He averaged 20.8 points per 36 minutes and hit the 20-point mark nine times, including a standout 39-point explosion in a comeback win over the Heat on January 15.
Even more notable was his development on the defensive end. Long seen as a liability in that department during his days in Portland, Simons earned praise from head coach Joe Mazzulla for his effort and improvement on that side of the ball. It wasn’t just lip service - Simons clearly bought in, and his defensive strides were a key reason he became such a trusted piece in Boston’s rotation.
“He’s played his role for us tremendously,” Mazzulla said after Simons’ final outing, a 27-point performance on 10-of-18 shooting in a dominant win over Milwaukee. “He’s just another guy that makes us better.”
But in the NBA, even productive fits can be moved when roster needs and salary cap realities collide. And with Jayson Tatum’s potential return from Achilles surgery still uncertain, Boston now faces the challenge of replacing Simons’ offensive production - at least in the short term - with a bench that lacks another proven scorer.
Enter Nikola Vucevic. The 35-year-old brings a different skill set - and answers a different need.
Boston’s biggest roster hole has been in the frontcourt, and Vucevic gives them a veteran presence with playoff experience and offensive versatility. He’s started 48 games for the Bulls this season, averaging 16.9 points and 9.0 rebounds while shooting over 50% from the field and nearly 38% from three.
Vucevic isn’t a rim protector, and at 6-foot-9, he’s undersized for a traditional center. But his ability to stretch the floor and clean the glass makes him a valuable addition, especially alongside Boston’s current group of bigs. Neemias Queta and Luka Garza have both exceeded expectations this season, but adding Vucevic gives the Celtics a more established option with a proven offensive game.
Financially, the move also helps Boston. Vucevic is on an expiring $21.5 million deal, and the trade drops the Celtics below the NBA’s first luxury tax apron - a potentially significant factor depending on what other moves they have in mind before Thursday’s deadline.
As for the rest of the roster, reserve bigs Chris Boucher and Xavier Tillman have been out of the rotation for months, and Boucher - who has played just four minutes since late November - was ruled out of Tuesday’s game against Dallas for personal reasons. Both could be part of further trade discussions as Boston continues to shape its roster for the stretch run.
Bottom line: the Celtics are making a calculated shift. They’re trading scoring punch off the bench for size, experience, and financial flexibility. Simons gave them everything they could’ve asked for in his brief time in Boston, but with the playoffs on the horizon, Boston is betting that Vucevic’s presence in the paint will help them go even deeper.