As the NBA trade deadline looms on February 5, the Chicago Bulls find themselves at a crossroads with Nikola Vucevic - a veteran presence in the paint and one of the more intriguing names on the market. Vucevic, now in his sixth season with the Bulls, is averaging 17.0 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Solid numbers, no doubt, but with his contract set to expire, the question is less about production and more about direction: is he part of the Bulls’ future, or a valuable trade chip in a team looking to retool?
Chicago’s front office has reportedly leaned toward keeping Vucevic, but that hasn’t stopped them from testing the waters. According to reports, the Bulls and Celtics recently explored a potential deal that would’ve sent Vucevic to Boston in exchange for Anfernee Simons and a first-round pick. The Celtics ultimately declined, but the talks offer a glimpse into what each side is looking for.
From Chicago’s perspective, the interest in Simons makes sense. At 13.9 points per game on 43.9% shooting, Simons brings scoring punch and youth - two things the Bulls are actively seeking as they look to build around emerging talents like Josh Giddey and rookie Matas Buzelis.
Simons’ ability to create his own shot and stretch the floor would pair well with Giddey’s playmaking and Buzelis’ length and versatility. Add in the potential of a first-round pick, and it's easy to see why the Bulls would be intrigued.
But Boston had its reasons for passing. The Celtics, currently third in the East at 29-18, are in win-now mode.
Their interest in Vucevic likely stems from a desire to deepen the frontcourt rotation. While they’ve climbed the standings behind their core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Jrue Holiday, adding a skilled big like Vucevic could give them a more dynamic interior option - especially in matchups where spacing and scoring from the five spot are at a premium.
Still, giving up Simons - a younger guard with upside and under team control through 2026-27 - plus a first-rounder was a steep price. Boston, it seems, is willing to explore upgrades but not at the expense of future flexibility and depth.
For Chicago, Vucevic isn’t the only player on an expiring deal. The Bulls have several contracts coming off the books, including Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Kevin Huerter, Jevon Carter, Dalen Terry, and Zach Collins.
That gives them options - and pressure. With a 23-24 record and sitting ninth in the East, they’re in that tricky middle ground: not bad enough to bottom out, not quite good enough to contend.
Moves like the one they pitched to Boston suggest they’re trying to thread the needle - get younger, stay competitive, and build a more balanced roster.
Defense remains a clear area of need. Despite flashes of strong individual efforts, the Bulls have struggled to string together consistent stops. That’s part of why a player like Simons, who’s still developing on that end, might not be a perfect fit - but the Bulls appear willing to bet on upside and growth alongside Giddey and Buzelis.
As for Boston, the search for frontcourt help continues. Their interest in Vucevic signals they’re looking for a big who can score, rebound, and pass - all things Vucevic has done at a high level throughout his career. Whether they revisit talks with Chicago or pivot to another target remains to be seen, but the Celtics are clearly focused on shoring up their roster for a deep playoff run.
With the deadline just days away, both teams are in different phases of their respective journeys. The Bulls are trying to reshape their identity without hitting the reset button.
The Celtics are chasing a title and looking for the final pieces to push them over the top. And in the middle of it all is Nikola Vucevic - a skilled big man whose future could swing the fortunes of two franchises.