The Boston Celtics made a deal Tuesday to acquire a big man prior to Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, according to reports.
The Celtics packaged Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick to the Chicago Bulls for center Nikola Vucevic and will receive another second-round pick in return, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports.
BREAKING: The Chicago Bulls are trading center Nikola Vucevic and a second-round pick to the Boston Celtics for Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/aScaobfZmv
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 3, 2026
The Celtics had been rumored to be in the market for a big man for weeks and the 35-year-old Vucevic gives Boston a veteran presence in a front court that was retooled over the summer following departures with Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet.
Vucevic is averaging 16.9 points per game and 9 rebounds on 51/38/84 percent shooting splits.
Simons, who is on a $27.7 million expiring contract, had fit in well in Boston, averaging 14.2 points per game on .440/.395 and 889 shooting splits and made himself a valuable trade target.
Simons landed in Boston this past summer as part of the return for guard Jrue Holiday.
The Celtics will shave off a significant amount of their luxury tax payments as part of the swap.
Vucevic is also on the final year of his current deal and will be a free agent this summer.
The NBA Trade Deadline is on Thursday afternoon.
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