Simons is averaging 14.2 points while shooting 39.5 percent from the 3-point line.
Simons is averaging 14.2 points while shooting 39.5 percent from the 3-point line.Finn Gomez for the Boston Globe
When the Celtics acquired Anfernee Simons from the Trail Blazers last summer, it was widely believed that his stay with the team would be brief.
He was on an expiring contract that would pay him $27.7 million this season, and with the Celtics expected to enter a brief rebuild while awaiting the return of Jayson Tatum, that deal figured to be a trade chip.
Then the season began and the Celtics improbably surfaced near the top of the Eastern Conference standings, with Simons embracing and thriving in a key role off the bench.
But the Celtics’ front office was thinking bigger. On Tuesday, they agreed to trade Simons to the Bulls in exchange for center Nikola Vucevic, a league source confirmed. The teams also exchanged second-round picks in the deal.
Vucevic, a two-time All-Star, is averaging 16.9 points and 9 rebounds this season and is a good passer. And following the offseason departures of floor-spacing big men Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, Boston adds one of the best in that area. He is shooting 37.6 percent from the 3-point line this season.
Like Simons, Vucevic is on an expiring contract, but this deal will save the Celtics salary and reduce their luxury-tax bill, with Vucevic earning $21.5 million this season.
It remains to be seen whether Vucevic has a long-term future in Boston, but in the short term, particularly with the looming return of Tatum, whose scoring would make Simons a bit redundant, the Celtics added a potentially important piece in a conference that is lacking an obvious favorite.
Simons, who poured in 27 points in the Celtics’ win over the Bucks on Sunday, is averaging 14.2 points while shooting 39.5 percent from the 3-point line.
Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at adam.himmelsbach@globe.com. Follow him @adamhimmelsbach.