Nikola Vucevic, Boston Celtics
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Nikola Vucevic, Boston Celtics
Brad Stevens chose to trade Anfernee Simons at the Feb. 5 trade deadline. In return, Nikola Vucevic was shipped to the Boston Celtics.
Vucevic, 35, provides depth and experience at the center position, thus plugging a hole in the rotation. However, questions were immediately raised regarding Vucevic’s long-term future, as he’s in the final few months of his three-year $60 million contract.
In a Feb. 7 edition of “The Draymond Green Show,” podcast, the Golden State Warriros forward shared his belief that Boston would re-sign Vucevic in the summer.
“We had heard noise about Anferne,e Simons possibly being moved from the Celtics,” Green said. “Ultimately, that happens. Nikola Vucevic becomes the center, probably for the next couple of years, for the Boston Celtics as they gear up to get Jayson Tatum back, more than likely next year. Start trying to make a run at it again. I think, you know, with Vucevic’s contract, they’ll have to make it fit into their future plans. But I think they’ll do that, especially where Vooch is in his career. For Vooch, getting the opportunity to play on a winning organization, I think, is a big deal for him.”
Vucevic has played in two games for the Celtics so far, and it’s clear that both he and his teammates are adjusting to his presence in the rotation.
Jaylen Brown Wants Celtics To Fix Chemistry
Whenever a trade happens mid-season, there is a period of time where the roster is adjusting. During his postgame news conference following the Celtics 111-89 loss to the New York Knicks, Jaylen Brown admitted that team chemistry is a work in progress.
“We got to figure out the chemistry a little bit, the flow a little bit,” Brown said. “We want Vuc to be a little bit more aggressive, looking for him to get going and make him feel confident in taking those shots and where he can catch the ball.”
Right now, Joe Mazzulla is bringing Vucevic off the bench. In the past two games, he’s used a double-big lineup of Neemias Queta and Luka Garza, with concerning results. As Vucevic becomes more accustomed to the Celtics style of play, there’s a good chance he could step into the starting rotation. Moving him to the starting unit could bring balance throughout the rotation.
Vucevic Is Happy To Be With The Celtics
When speaking to the media on Feb. 6, Vucevic admitted that he’s happy to finally be part of the Celtics. He’s been linked with the franchise on a number of occasions throughout his career.
“Over the years, a lot of talks with me being connected to the Celtics,” Vucevic said. “And lot of times when I was in Boston, just around the city, I hear fans telling me to come here. And so it happened now. I’m very happy. And, I’m just gonna try to do the best I can to help the team…So, some wishes came true.”
It will remain to be seen whether Vucevic’s tenure with the Celtics is short-lived. For now, the hope will be that he can find his footing quickly. If he can do that, hopefully he can help the team make a deep postseason run later this year.