Bulls Swing Another Deal, Land Anfernee Simons in Exchange for Nikola Vučević
The Chicago Bulls aren’t waiting around for the buzzer to make noise at the trade deadline-they're already in full motion. After a busy stretch that saw them land Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr., the Bulls have made another bold move, sending veteran center Nikola Vučević to the Boston Celtics in exchange for high-scoring guard Anfernee Simons. The two teams also swapped second-round picks in the deal.
Let’s break this one down.
Bulls Say Goodbye to Vučević
Vučević’s time in Chicago has been a long one by modern NBA standards-six seasons, 378 games, and plenty of ups and downs. At 35 years old, he’s been a steady presence but no longer the centerpiece he once was.
His offensive skill set has always been valuable, but with declining mobility and an expiring contract, the writing had been on the wall for a while. This move ends years of trade chatter around Vučević and gives the Bulls a chance to pivot.
Enter Anfernee Simons
What Chicago gets in return is a 26-year-old guard with eight seasons under his belt and a knack for scoring in bunches. Simons has shown he can light it up off the bench or take on a more featured role when needed. He brings a level of offensive versatility the Bulls can use-especially in a backcourt that’s suddenly full of intriguing, if overlapping, options.
Simons is also on an expiring contract, which keeps the Bulls nimble. They’re not locking themselves into a long-term deal here; instead, they’re getting a look at a player who could fit into their future-or become a valuable trade chip down the line.
A Crowded Backcourt-and More Decisions Ahead
With Simons joining a guard rotation that already includes Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White, and the newly acquired Ivey (all on expiring deals), the Bulls have some choices to make. It’s unlikely they keep all four past the deadline.
White, in particular, feels like the odd man out. He’s been solid, but with Ivey looking like a long-term pairing alongside Josh Giddey, and Simons offering instant offense, White could be the piece that helps Chicago address its next big need: the frontcourt.
Dosunmu, thanks to his defensive versatility and ability to play both guard spots, gives the Bulls some flexibility. He’s the kind of glue guy who can fit with just about any lineup, which makes him valuable-either as a rotation piece or as part of a bigger deal.
What’s Next for the Frontcourt?
Trading Vučević leaves Chicago thin at center. Right now, they’ve got Jalen Smith and the injured Zach Collins holding down the fort. That’s not going to cut it if the Bulls are serious about making a run-or even just staying competitive.
There’s buzz that Yves Missi could be a target, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see White used as the centerpiece in a deal to bring in a big. Whether it’s Missi or another rim protector, the Bulls are clearly positioning themselves to make a move.
Bigger Picture: Flexibility and Forward Thinking
What’s most interesting about this stretch of trades isn’t just the names involved-it’s the strategy behind them. Chicago’s front office is clearly looking beyond this season.
By stacking expiring contracts and acquiring young, controllable talent like Ivey and Simons, they’re giving themselves optionality. They can evaluate how these pieces fit together, keep the ones that make sense, and flip the rest for assets or upgrades.
This isn’t just about shaking up the roster-it’s about reshaping the identity of the team. The Bulls are moving away from the aging core that’s defined the past few seasons and toward a more dynamic, modern build.
And with the trade deadline still ahead, don’t be surprised if there’s more to come.