The Boston Celtics are strengthening their frontcourt for the playoff push, agreeing Tuesday to acquire veteran center Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for guard Anfernee Simons and a package of second-round draft picks, a source told The Associated Press. The deal is pending league approval.
Vucevic, 35, brings experience and stability to Boston’s center rotation, which has relied on Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, and Xavier Tillman Sr. this season. The two-time All-Star has averaged 16.9 points and 9.0 rebounds per game this season, nearly matching his career averages of 17.2 points and 10.4 rebounds. Over his career, he has appeared in 1,020 regular-season games and 16 playoff contests, including 10 with the Orlando Magic from 2018-20.
Simons, who joined Boston last summer in the trade that sent Jrue Holiday to Portland, averaged 14.2 points per game this season. The 22-year-old guard showed a strong stretch in January, posting 15.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists across 16 games. Both Vucevic and Simons are set to become free agents this summer.
Beyond the on-court impact, the trade provides Boston with financial flexibility, reducing the team’s luxury-tax bill from roughly $39 million to $17 million. These savings could give the Celtics room to make additional moves before the playoffs.
Vucevic will step in as an immediate starter at center, giving the Celtics much-needed playoff experience as they aim to pull ahead of the New York Knicks for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Boston enters the deal at 31-18, having performed well despite missing All-Star forward Jayson Tatum this season while he recovers from a torn Achilles.
The Bulls, meanwhile, continue to reshape their roster ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline. Earlier Tuesday, Chicago reportedly traded Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric to Detroit as part of a three-team deal. Vucevic spent the last five and a half seasons with Chicago, marking the next chapter in his NBA journey.
