The Boston Celtics have reportedly agreed to trade former Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons to the Chicago Bulls for big man Nikola Vucevic and a second-round draft pick, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. The move addresses the Celtics’ thin frontcourt rotation in the present, and perhaps longer term if Vucevic and Boston can agree to a new, cheaper deal.
The trade has left the Celtics under the first apron and about $6 million from getting out of the luxury tax, widely seen as a desired if not critical goal to accomplish in the short term if not this season. Earning $21.4 million in the final year of his current contract, the Chicago center will fit into the $22.5 million traded player exception (TPE) created by the trade of Kristaps Porzingis last offseason. It could create another TPE for Boston for the remainder of Simons’ $27,6 million salary the Celtics would then have a year to use to absorb the salary of one or more players able to fit into it.
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Vucevic has averaged 16.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 50.5% overall and 37.6% from beyond the arc. His rebounding and passing will help Boston on the offensive side of the court, but could be targeted on defense.
Jan 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) shoots the ball over Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Not the big splash that Boston fans were likely hoping for, he will be able to help the team in the present.
The trade might also make the team able to re-sign the Bulls big man to a more affordable deal that could get the Celtics under the luxury tax next season while preserving a TPE and draft assets to use to sign a longer-term solution wherever the team feels it needs it in the future as well.
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Shams: Celtics deal Anfernee Simons for Nikola Vucevic, 2nd round pick
