Celtics swap Anfernee Simons for Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic

The Boston Celtics made another notable roster move, acquiring veteran big man Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for guard Anfernee Simons and second-round draft pick assets,according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The trade comes with the 2026 NBA trade deadline looming and signals Boston’s intent to bolster its frontcourt for a playoff push. 

Vucevic, 35, arrives in Boston as a two-time All-Star and proven NBA scorer and rebounder, currently averaging about 16.9 points and 9.0 rebounds per game this season. His addition gives the Celtics much-needed size and experience in the paint, rounding out a frontcourt that has relied heavily on younger centers like Neemias Queta and Luka Garza while dealing with injuries and lineup gaps. 

Meanwhile, Simons, 26, departs Boston after just part of a season in green. Acquired by the Celtics last summer in the Jrue Holiday trade with the Trail Blazers, he provided a capable scoring punch off the bench, averaging 14.2 points per game and showing the shooting ability that made him a valuable trade chip. 

The deal also has financial implications for the Celtics’ cap situation. By swapping Simons’ larger expiring contract for Vucevic’s smaller one, Boston significantly reduces its luxury-tax bill and moves closer to operating under the league’s first tax apron – a strategic position that could give the team more roster flexibility as the deadline nears. 

For the Bulls, acquiring Simons adds youth and shooting to a backcourt that has been reshaped this season, complementing other recent trades as Chicago pivots toward a younger core. 

This deadline-week trade represents a practical move by the Celtics to address a long-standing frontcourt need with a veteran presence while managing their financial picture, and it gives the Bulls a dynamic scorer in Simons as they continue reshaping their roster.