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Tim Bontemps
Multiple Authors
The Boston Celtics have secured center Nikola Vucevic in a deal with the Chicago Bulls, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, providing essential reinforcement to their frontcourt.
In the exchange, Boston will send guard Anfernee Simons and a second-round draft pick to Chicago, according to Charania.
After extensive speculation regarding the addition of a big man—and budget savings—this season, the Celtics achieved both goals in one decisive move on Tuesday afternoon.
The 6-foot-9 Vucevic is expected to address a significant need at center for the Celtics, who have largely relied on lesser-known big men Neemias Queta, 26, and Luka Garza, 27, this season.
Queta has emerged as one of the NBA’s most improved players, stepping into a full-time starting position and producing solid numbers (10.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game). yet, Vucevic is averaging 16.9 points and 9.0 rebounds over 48 games this season, providing Boston with enhanced shooting and rebounding to support Queta at the center position.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported that Boston also saved over $20 million in luxury tax payments by swapping Simons and his $27 million expiring contract for Vucevic and his $21 million expiring deal.
Simons, 26, has averaged 14.2 points per game as a reserve player for Boston this season.
The Celtics (32-18), spearheaded by their backcourt trio of Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard, ended Tuesday night tied with the New York Knicks for the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.
This marked the second trade executed on Tuesday by the Bulls, who also sent Kevin Huerter to the Detroit Pistons in a three-team deal that included the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In that trade, Chicago acquired another backcourt player, former Pistons guard Jaden Ivey, opening the door for potential moves involving one or both of Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu—both of whom are unrestricted free agents this summer—prior to Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline.
