The Celtics added one big man to their rotation on Tuesday night by dealing for Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Anfernee Simons. However, it appears the Celtics kicked the tires on at least one bigger name before pulling the trigger on the Vucevic acquisition.
Michael Scotto of Hoopshype reports that the Celtics inquired on Jaren Jackson Jr. before the power forward being sent to the Utah Jazz on Tuesday in a blockbuster deal. Ultimately, Danny Ainge landed the star forward along with wings John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr. and center Jock Landale in the swap in exchange for guard Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three future first-round picks.
MassLive wrote last month about why the team was unlikely to land Jackson Jr. in a hypothetical deal, in large part due to his hefty salary. Additionally, Boston could only offer up two first-round picks currently, which allowed them to be topped in any offer made unless they were including a key player.
The Celtics pivoted to a far cheaper option in Vucevic that will still provide the team with plenty of future flexibility. The 35-year-old is on an expiring contract, and the Celtics were able to create a $27 million trade exception for Simons by absorbing Vucevic into a previously created traded player exception from the Kristaps Porzingis deal.
The Celtics aren’t expected to be done dealing before the trade deadline, league sources tell MassLive as they look to bolster bench depth in the coming hours.