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HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 13: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Chicago Bulls gestures toward referee Marc Davis #8 during the game at Toyota Center on January 13, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics have been perhaps the biggest surprise in the NBA this season without Jayson Tatum. They sit third in the Eastern Conference standings, and Tatum has yet to play a single minute this season. Yet, they are playing great this year.
This season, Boston has the second-best offense in the league. Jaylen Brown has proven that he can be a true number-one option. The biggest question for the Celtics coming into the season was the center spot. Now, it seems they have answered that question.
Despite Neemias Queta playing fairly well, the Celtics have traded for Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls.
GettyChicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic dribbles the ball. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Make a Trade for Nikola Vucevic
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Celtics have traded Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick for Nikola Vucevic and a second-round pick. Now, Boston has brought in a center that can play well in the playoffs. Vucevic has playoff experience.
This is a trade with this year in mind. Boston believes that it can compete for a championship this year, even if Tatum doesn’t return. Bringing Vucevic to the roster shows that. His ability to spread the floor is what they have been missing since they traded Kristaps Porzingis over the summer.
Simons had started playing very well for the Celtics in recent weeks. Trading him will certainly hurt the depth that they have coming off the bench. Without him in the backcourt, Boston might struggle to keep the same level of vigor on the offensive end of the court.
Trading Simons away means that Hugo Gonzalez will have to have a bigger role as a rookie. Now, it is up to him to run the second unit without having Simons to help him. The 3-point shooting that the Celtics have will be diminished off the bench, as well.
GettyChicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic dribbles the ball. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Celtics are Likely Finished Making Trades
With the Celtics making this move, they are likely finished making moves at the trade deadline. Now that they have a center with whom they can move forward, they will just wait for Tatum to return to the lineup. This trade is also a hedge against his returning.
If Tatum decides to sit out the entire year, Vucevic can help carry the offense when Brown is struggling. He can hit open shots that are created for him by Brown, Payton Pritchard, and Derrick White. Vucevic is an upgrade at their weakest spot in the starting lineup.
Of course, this still might not be enough for the Celtics to overtake the Pistons as the top team in the Eastern Conference. They made a trade as well, so they feel they are in a good spot to still play well in the playoffs. Bringing in more players isn’t something they are interested in at the moment. Boston is now likely finished making deadline moves, as well.