It goes without saying that Jayson Tatum is likely the only Boston Celtics contributor who won’t have to worry about finding a new home this summer, as he’s the franchise’s cornerstone.
With the Celtics failing to extend their postseason stay beyond the opening round, it’s hard to imagine the franchise’s roster looking the same in 2026-27. According to a report from the Stein Line’s Marc Stein, the Celtics are widely expected to cut ties with their two-time All-Star center after just one season.
“Former All-Star center Nikola Vucevic is increasingly regarded as a certainty to switch teams this summer after a fractured right ring finger in March helped derail his brief stint as a Boston Celtic in the spring,” Stein reported Sunday.
“He’ll be 36 in October but figures to draw some interest on the open market given that there is generally always a clamor for floor-spacing big men.”
Vucevic started the 2025-26 campaign with the Chicago Bulls, but was traded to the Celtics on Feb. 5 to help Boston strengthen their frontcourt depth. As a fundamentally sound, below-the-rim veteran big man, Vucevic provided the Celtics with solid low-post production in 16 regular-season games.
The USC product contributed 15.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per contest, shooting 49.3% from the field and 34% from three. Vucevic wasn’t much of a factor in the postseason, though, as he inefficiently averaged 6.2 points per contest to go along with 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists (he didn’t appear in the Celtics’ Game 7 clash against the Philadelphia 76ers).
With Boston likely to move on from the former Orlando Magic center this summer, the franchise’s fan base should expect it to explore other options on the frontcourt trade market.
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