The Boston Celtics are making a move for the stretch run-and it’s a big one. In a trade finalized just two days before the deadline, the Celtics have acquired veteran center Nikola Vučević from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for guard Anfernee Simons. The two teams will also swap second-round picks as part of the deal.
Let’s start with Boston. This is a team with championship aspirations, and the addition of Vučević gives them something they’ve been lacking: frontcourt depth with a steady offensive presence.
Vučević, now 37, isn’t the same player who earned two All-Star nods in Orlando, but he’s still a savvy, floor-spacing big who can rebound, pass, and knock down shots from beyond the arc. Think of him as a stylistic bridge between Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis-less rim protection than Porziņģis, but a more reliable option than what Boston’s had behind him.
The Celtics aren’t asking Vučević to be a star. They’re asking him to be solid.
To give them 20-25 minutes of smart basketball, stretch the floor, and hold his own defensively. And in that role, he could be a perfect fit.
With Porziņģis dealing with injuries and Horford in the twilight of his career, Vučević gives Boston a proven, durable option in the middle. He’s not flashy, but he’s effective-and that’s exactly what the Celtics need right now.
For Chicago, this trade is part of a broader reshaping of the roster. Vučević was in his sixth season with the Bulls, and while he was a consistent double-double machine, he never quite moved the needle when it came to playoff success. Now, the Bulls pivot to a younger core, and Anfernee Simons fits that mold.
Simons, 26, has been a sparkplug for Boston off the bench, averaging 14.2 points per game while shooting a sharp 39.5% from three. He brings shooting, athleticism, and playmaking-three things Chicago could use more of.
He joins a promising young group that includes Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, Ayo Dosunmu, and Jaden Ivey. Whether or not Coby White is part of the long-term plan, this is a young, intriguing roster in an Eastern Conference that’s wide open outside of the top few teams.
This deal also caps off a busy deadline for the Bulls. They’ve been active, adding Mike Conley Jr. from Minnesota and Jaden Ivey from Detroit in a multi-team deal that sent Kevin Huerter and Dario Šarić to the Pistons. They’ve also taken on salary in exchange for draft picks, signaling a front office that’s willing to get creative to build for the future.
From Boston’s perspective, this is about rounding out a title-contending roster. From Chicago’s side, it’s about building a new core and collecting assets. It’s a trade that makes sense for both teams, and one that could have ripple effects across the Eastern Conference as the playoff picture comes into focus.