On a busy Tuesday in the NBA, the Chicago Bulls made a series of moves that signaled a clear shift in direction - and perhaps, a long-overdue reset. In a pair of trades, the Bulls reshaped their roster and sent a longtime anchor packing, setting the stage for a new chapter in the Windy City and giving a veteran big man a fresh start with a title contender.
A Three-Team Deal and a Backcourt Reboot
The day started with Chicago jumping into a three-team trade alongside the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves. When the dust settled, the Bulls had shipped out Kevin Huerter and Dario Šarić to Detroit and brought in veteran point guard Mike Conley Jr. and young guard Jaden Ivey.
Conley brings leadership, playoff experience, and a steady hand at the point - something the Bulls have lacked in recent years. He’s not the same player he was in his Memphis prime, but his game has aged gracefully. He still runs an offense with poise, hits timely shots, and defends his position with a veteran’s savvy.
Ivey, on the other hand, is all about upside. The second-year guard brings speed, athleticism, and a scoring punch that could thrive in a more structured system. He’s had flashes in Detroit, but the Bulls are betting that a change of scenery and a more defined role could unlock the next level of his game.
Vooch Heads to Boston
The bigger headline, though, came shortly after: Chicago sent veteran center Nikola Vučević to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick.
Vučević, 35, wraps up a six-year run in Chicago - a tenure marked by strong individual numbers but limited team success. This season, he’s been as solid as ever, averaging 16.9 points and 9.0 rebounds per game across 48 appearances. He’s still a double-double machine, still a skilled offensive big who can stretch the floor and score in the post.
And when the moment called for it, Vooch delivered. In November, he capped off a 24-point comeback against the Pistons with a game-winning three.
Later that month, he hit another clutch triple to beat the Trail Blazers on the road. Then came a gritty performance against the Wizards, where he powered the Bulls to a narrow win.
He’s not just a numbers guy - he’s had his share of winning moments.
Dying at this Nikola Vucevic postgame interview after the Bulls stole a win against the Wizards pic.twitter.com/k4x73Tz8Mn
— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) November 23, 2025
But there were signs that the marriage between Vučević and the Bulls had run its course.
After that win over Washington, Vooch didn’t look like a guy enjoying the moment. While teammates Jalen Smith and Matas Buzelis tried to celebrate with him postgame, he kept his distance - a subtle signal that things weren’t quite right behind the scenes.
In December, he opened up about the mental toll of the Bulls’ struggles.
“It’s not always easy, to be honest with you, when the team is struggling, when you are struggling, when things are not going your way,” he said. “It’s happened a couple times now and sometimes it’s hard. Those questions do creep into your mind... but you just have to find a way to limit it as much as possible.”
That honesty reflected a player who had given a lot - emotionally and physically - and wasn’t seeing the results. Since arriving in 2021, Vučević has averaged 18.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per game in a Bulls uniform.
But the team made the playoffs just once during his tenure, bowing out in five games to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2022. Since then, it’s been a carousel of near-.500 seasons and short-lived Play-In pushes.
A New Chapter in Boston
Now, Vučević heads to a Celtics team that’s built to contend. Boston has made the playoffs every year since Vučević’s second season in the league and won a championship in 2024. They’re currently tied with the Knicks for the second-best record in the East, and with Vooch expected to step in as the starting center, this is a team that’s clearly all-in.
He’ll join a veteran-laden rotation that includes Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Xavier Tillman, Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser. It’s a group that knows how to win and has the pieces to make a deep run.
For Vučević, this move isn’t just about basketball - it’s about timing. At this stage of his career, he’s earned the right to chase meaningful games in April, May, and maybe June.
He’s no longer the centerpiece of a rebuild. He’s a seasoned pro stepping into a defined role on a team with championship aspirations.
And for the Bulls? They get a dynamic scorer in Anfernee Simons, a second-round pick, and a chance to finally pivot away from the roster that’s hovered around mediocrity for too long.
Looking Ahead
Chicago sits at 24-26, ninth in the East - stuck in that familiar middle ground. The Celtics, meanwhile, are 31-18, with their eyes on another deep playoff push.
For Vučević, this is the kind of opportunity every veteran dreams of: a chance to contribute, to compete, and to be part of something bigger than individual stats.
In the twilight of his career, Vooch is heading to Boston - and he might just have found the perfect fit.