The [Celtics are scouring the trade market](https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2026/01/celtics-trade-rumors-latest-big-man-linked-to-boston.html) for some big men ahead of next week’s deadline. They are understandably being picky about who they go after to upgrade the frontcourt with one news surfacing of one proposal that was rejected by Boston earlier this year.
According to [Michael Scotto of Hoopshype](https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/2026/01/28/nba-intel-giannis-antetokounmpo-domantas-sabonis-lakers-celtics-knicks-hawks-bulls-cavaliers-timberw/88401592007/), the Celtics turned down a proposal from the Chicago Bulls that would have sent center Nikola Vucevic to Boston in exchange for Anfernee Simons and a first-round pick.
The move would have delivered some financial benefit to Boston since Vucevic ($21.5 million) makes about $7 million less than Simons, which would have saved Boston tens of millions in luxury tax repeater penalties. However, the Celtics have shot up the Eastern Conference standings in the past two months with Simons being an integral part of the team’s success off the bench.
Moving Simons certainly remains an option at this point for Boston but they will be seeking a bigger talent upgrade than Vucevic for that type of package.
The Bulls big man would be a useful player with his offensive skillset but there are a couple of red flags that make him a less than ideal target for Boston. He’s 35 years old, which magnifies his defensive limitations as he can be repeatedly attacked in the pick-and-roll by faster players. He will also be a free agent this offseason, making him a flight risk.
The Celtics will be looking for a longer term answer for their center depth if they are moving notable draft capital for a higher salaried player. Whether they can find the right fit for that type of upgrade in the next week is the question worth watching
The NBA trade deadline is on Feb. 5 at 3 p.m.