Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley has identified Nikola Vucevic as an "optimistic target" for the Boston Celtics in upcoming free agency. Vucevic is an unrestricted free agent following the season.
"While the playoffs will determine just how many of Vučević's limitations the Celtics can stomach, he's a generally solid system fit," Buckley wrote on Monday. "His three-ball allows Boston to stay spread out without sacrificing size or rebounding, and he can find his own shots in a pinch. The only question is whether his contract will cost a reasonable amount for what figures to be a supporting reserve role."
Vucevic has put together a productive 2025-26 NBA season. The 35-year-old center opened the year with the Chicago Bulls, averaging 16.9 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game across 48 starts on 50.5 percent shooting from the field.
At the deadline, Chicago traded him to the Celtics along with draft assets in exchange for Anfernee Simons. In 12 games with Boston, often in a bench role, Vucevic added steady frontcourt minutes before fracturing his right ring finger on March 6 against the Dallas Mavericks. Surgery followed the next day, with a projected absence of about one month; he could return in time to help during the postseason.
The Montenegrin native was picked 16th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2011 draft. After one season there and nine with the Orlando Magic, he spent five full seasons in Chicago. A two-time All-Star, Vučević owns career averages of 17.1 points and 10.4 rebounds in more than 1,000 regular-season games. His reliable scoring, rebounding and passing continue to make him a dependable veteran big man.
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