The Boston Celtics acquired Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline. Anfernee Simons was sent in the opposite direction, along with a 2026 second-round draft pick. Vucevic, 35, is in the final few months of his three-year $60 million contract.
As such, the veteran center's long-term future is an unknown. According to Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey, Vucevic’s contractual situation means that he’s the Celtics' biggest flight risk once we hit the offseason.
“Nikola Vucevic hasn't been with the Boston Celtics long, but it's already clear that his range and passing ability will make him a good fit in Joe Mazzulla's offensive schemes,” Bailey wrote. “...He came over from the Chicago Bulls on an expiring contract, which means this might just be a rental for Boston. He may not be likely to find a better spot to contend, but there could be others willing to pay him more than a Celtics team that already has Tatum and Jaylen Brown on max deals.”
Brad Stevens began cost-cutting measures during the summer. He succeeded in getting the Celtics under the tax at the trade deadline. As such, Vucevic would likely be looking at a sizeable pay cut if he opted to remain in Boston beyond this season.
However, if Vucevic’s main priority is contending for a championship during the latter years of his career, there is plenty of incentive to remain with the Celtics. After all, Boston is one of the best teams in the league right now, and that’s before they get Jayson Tatum back from injury.
Stevens knew about Vucevic’s contract situation when he traded for him. Therefore, it’s logical to surmise that there’s a plan in place to keep him moving forward. Unfortunately for Celtics fans, we won’t know that for sure until this season reaches a conclusion, whenever that may be.
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