The Celtics acquired center Nikola Vucevic (left) ahead of the deadline.
The Celtics acquired center Nikola Vucevic (left) ahead of the deadline.Matt Marton/Associated Press
The Celtics have likely already made their big move of this year’s NBA trade deadline, sending guard Anfernee Simons to Chicago in exchange for Nikola Vucevic on Tuesday.
The deal, which also involved the swapping of second-round picks, saw Boston shed a few million dollars in salary that will save the Celtics $22 million in luxury-tax penalties, as well as move the team below the first salary-cap apron.
The Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach reported Tuesday that the Celtics are still engaged in trade discussions with teams across the league in advance of the NBA trade deadline, which closes at 3 p.m. on Thursday.
There already have been some other big trades, most notably the swapping of star guards by the Clippers and Cavaliers. In a move that seemingly materialized from nowhere, Los Angeles decided to shift former MVP James Harden, who will head to Cleveland, with Darius Garland going the other way.
Harden was averaging 25.4 points and 8.1 assists for a Clippers team that is 17-5 since starting the season 6-21.
The Jazz also made a big move, acquiring a star rim-protector in Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Grizzlies and sending four players and three future first-round picks to Memphis.
Rumors are still swirling ahead of Thursday’s deadline, particularly around former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose exit from Milwaukee seems inevitable.
Follow along with us for live updates from the NBA trade deadline.
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▪ Celtics trading Anfernee Simons to the Bulls for center Nikola Vucevic
▪ These are attractive options for the Celtics as the NBA trade deadline nears
▪ End days arrive in Milwaukee for the Giannis Antetokounmpo era, as NBA trade deadline draw near
▪ Report: James Harden to Cavaliers, Darius Garland to Clippers in deal of All-Star guards
Thunder acquire 76ers guard Jared McCain — 3 p.m.
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By Amin Touri
The best team in basketball is shoring up its backcourt depth and shooting ahead of the deadline, as the Thunder are reportedly acquiring 76ers guard Jared McCain in exchange for a first-round pick and three second-rounders.
The talented McCain lands on the reigning NBA champions. For the 76ers, the trade allows them to receive assets, clear space in the glut of guards and give them flexibility to bring Quentin Grimes back in free agency. It also allows them to convert two-way Dominick Barlow. https://t.co/Dvsqvog38z
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 4, 2026
McCain impressed early in a rookie season cut short by injury, averaging 15.3 points on 38.3 percent shooting to finish seventh in Rookie of the Year voting last season despite playing just 23 games.
The second-year guard has struggled to carve out the same role in Philadelphia’s rotation this season behind the young backcourt duo of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
Mavericks trade Anthony Davis to Wizards — 2:30 p.m.
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By Amin Touri
The Wizards continued a busy trade season with another blockbuster on Wednesday, reportedly acquiring big man Anthony Davis from the Mavericks.
BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are trading 10-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D'Angelo Russell and Dante Exum to the Washington Wizards for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, 2 first-round picks and 3 second-rounders, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/sfrQQubI5i
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 4, 2026
Davis, a 10-time All-Star and the primary return in the stunning trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers last season, has struggled to stay healthy, playing just 20 games this season.
Davis will head to Washington alongside Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum. Dallas will receive Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round picks, and three second-rounders.
Davis is averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks this season. The 32-year-old is owed $58.5 million next season and has a player option worth $62.8 million for the following year.
Washington had previously swung a trade to acquire four-time All-Star guard Trae Young, who has yet to suit up for the Wizards as he recovers from a knee issue.
Celtics trade Anfernee Simons for Nikola Vucevic — 2 p.m.
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By Adam Himmelsbach and Gary Washburn
When the Celtics acquired Anfernee Simons from the Trail Blazers last summer, it was widely believed his stay with the team would be brief, with his expiring $27.7 million deal serving as a trade chip.
As the Celtics improbably surfaced near the top of the conference standings, with Simons embracing and thriving in a key role off the bench, it ignited questions about whether he could be a long-term fit with the franchise.
But the Celtics’ front office was focused on fortifying its frontcourt depth, and on Tuesday the team agreed to trade Simons to the Bulls in exchange for center Nikola Vucevic, two league sources confirmed.
According to the source, the Celtics are still engaged in trade discussions with teams across the league in advance of Thursday’s 3 p.m. deadline.
The source said Vucevic will be acquired using the trade exception the Celtics created when they traded center Kristaps Porzingis to the Hawks last summer. This path helped the team create a new $27.7 million trade exception that will not expire until next season’s trade deadline.
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Amin Touri can be reached at amin.touri@globe.com.