Boston Celtics Trade for the Bulls Two-Time All-Star Center
After the news of the trade involving former Memphis Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. getting moved to the Utah Jazz, it was just confirmed by Shams Charania that Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vučević has been traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick. Even with their star player, Jayson Tatum, out for the season, the Celtics have surged to one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, with a 31-18 record that ties them with the New York Knicks for second place in the East. Going into the season, Boston did not have the greatest frontcourt after the departure of Al Horford this past offseason. However, the six-foot-nine Vučević has been a consistent and dominant center throughout his 15-year career. Could this trade give Boston the legs to carry through another deep playoff run?
In 48 games this season, the two-time all-star center is averaging 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block. These numbers are slightly below what he averaged a season ago. Yet, at 35 years of age, Vučević has done everything he can to help the Bulls be within the playoff picture. Now, he’ll have the opportunity to make a deep playoff run, and potentially a championship run with the way the Celtics have been playing over the past several weeks. The two-time all-star center has brought down 10 or more rebounds 16 times this season. Being an efficient rebounder while having multiple dangerous scoring options within this Celtics roster, such as Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, and Hugo González could make Boston the team to beat within the East.
Simons is averaging 14 points, two rebounds, two assists, and a steal in 49 games played. In his final game as a member of the Celtics, the 26-year-old scored 27 points in Boston’s blowout win over the Milwaukee Bucks. With the Bulls, Simons will be a solid piece alongside Josh Giddey and the newly acquired Jaden Ivey. Chicago will continue to fight for a Play-In Tournament spot as the season progresses. Currently, the Bulls are ninth in the East at 24-26. The Charlotte Hornets are a game and a half out of Chicago. After losing their biggest rebounder and second-leading scorer, the Bulls will need to regroup and continue to try this rebuild with Giddey as the focal point.
Over the next couple of games throughout February, the Celtics play some solid teams such as the Houston Rockets, the Knicks, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Denver Nuggets. If Boston can muscle their way past some of these teams, with the likes of Vučević being a solid piece within the rotation, the Celtics will look to be a huge problem come the 2026 NBA Playoffs. The two-time all-star center can change this Celtics team for the better with his offensive prowess and rebounding capabilities. Boston will look to take over the Eastern Conference during the second half of the season.
