The NBA trade deadline always brings fireworks, but this year’s pre-deadline flurry has seen the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics take center stage with a blockbuster swap that’s shaking up the rosters and financial outlooks for both franchises. On Tuesday afternoon, February 3, 2026, the Bulls sent veteran center Nikola Vučević to the Celtics in exchange for dynamic guard Anfernee Simons, with both teams also exchanging second-round draft picks. The deal, confirmed by ESPN’s Shams Charania and corroborated across multiple outlets, marks a significant turning point for each club as the season’s second half looms.
Vučević, 35, departs Chicago after nearly five seasons in the Windy City, where he became a mainstay in the frontcourt and a key figure in the Bulls’ ongoing rebuild. His stint in Chicago began as a headline-grabbing acquisition in 2021, when then-new executive VP Arturas Karnisovas sent out Wendell Carter Jr. and multiple future first-round picks to bring the Montenegrin big man to Illinois. Over 378 regular season games with the Bulls, Vučević posted averages of 18.1 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, shooting an efficient .499 from the field, .349 from three-point range, and .815 from the free-throw line. Despite his steady output, the Bulls struggled to break through as contenders, and the front office’s decision to move on signals a new era for the franchise.
The trade itself is a multifaceted maneuver. The Celtics receive Vučević, a floor-stretching center who remains a consistent offensive force. This season, he’s averaging 16.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, while hitting 37.6% of his three-point attempts. His ability to space the floor and rebound addresses a glaring need in Boston’s rotation, especially after the team lost Kristaps Porzingis in a trade and saw Al Horford and Luke Kornet depart in free agency last offseason. Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens, always keen on roster flexibility, saw an opportunity to shore up the frontcourt while also reaping significant financial benefits.
Financially, the deal is a slam dunk for Boston. Vučević’s expiring $21.5 million contract is nearly $6 million less than Simons’ $27.7 million expiring deal. More importantly, the trade slashes the Celtics’ projected luxury tax penalty by over $22 million, dropping it from $39.5 million to $17 million, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks. The move also nudges Boston below the first tax apron, giving them more latitude for future roster moves. Boston can slot Vučević into a $22.5 million traded player exception created in last summer’s Porzingis deal, potentially generating a new exception equivalent to Simons’ outgoing salary—a valuable asset for future trades.
On the court, Vučević isn’t expected to log 30-plus minutes a night, especially with Neemias Queta available as a capable backup. Still, fantasy basketball analysts, like Yahoo’s Dan Titus, see Vučević as the clear preferred option in Boston’s big man rotation. His efficient scoring, rebounding, and floor-spacing should translate well, even in a slightly reduced role. "I don't expect Vuče to play 30 minutes a night with a capable backup big like Neemias Queta present, but he'll still be the preferred fantasy option of the two going forward," wrote Titus, underscoring the big man’s enduring value.
For Anfernee Simons, the move to Chicago offers both opportunity and uncertainty. Simons, 26, was a key bench contributor for the Celtics this season, averaging 14.2 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in 24.5 minutes per game. He was deadly from deep, knocking down 39.5% of his three-pointers and converting 88.9% of his free throws. Originally acquired by Boston in the Jrue Holiday deal last summer, Simons now joins a Bulls backcourt that’s suddenly bursting at the seams. Alongside Simons, Chicago’s guard rotation features Josh Giddey, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Tre Jones, and new arrivals Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr., the latter pair obtained earlier the same day in a three-team deal with Detroit and Minnesota.
What does this mean for Chicago’s rotation? The influx of guards suggests more moves could be on the horizon, with at least one of White, Dosunmu, or Jones possibly on the move before the deadline. There’s also speculation that Conley, a veteran on an expiring deal, could be a buyout candidate. As for Simons, his future in Chicago is uncertain. He’s on an expiring contract and could walk in unrestricted free agency this summer, but his off-ball shooting and scoring punch give the Bulls a versatile weapon to evaluate in the coming months. As Elias Schuster of Bulls On SI remarked, "Do I think Simons could be an interesting piece for the Bulls to evaluate over the next couple of months? Sure. I can see a scenario where he makes some sense next to Josh Giddey, as he is an excellent off-ball shooting threat."
The draft pick swap adds another layer of intrigue. The Celtics will receive Denver’s 2027 second-round pick, while the Bulls are set to acquire the most favorable 2026 second-rounder among Minnesota, New York, Portland, and New Orleans—likely the Pelicans’ pick, currently projected at No. 32 overall. This arrangement appears to favor Chicago, who are stocking up on future assets as they reshape their roster. The pick the Bulls are sending Boston, via Denver, was only acquired a few days ago, minimizing the cost of the trade from Chicago’s perspective.
For the Bulls, the deal is the third major move in a matter of days. Earlier Tuesday, they shipped Kevin Huerter and Dario Šarić to the Pistons in a three-team deal that brought in Conley and Ivey. The cumulative effect is a dramatically different roster, with a clear emphasis on acquiring young talent and future draft capital. The departure of Vučević, a franchise cornerstone since 2021, marks the end of an era and signals a new direction under Karnisovas’ leadership.
One immediate beneficiary in Chicago is Jalen Smith, who now has a firm grip on the center minutes with Vučević gone. Smith had already been starting alongside Vučević in recent games and is projected to see his value rise, especially if the Bulls don’t bring in additional frontcourt help. Fantasy analysts project Smith to be at least a top-60 player across formats if the rotation holds.
As the dust settles, both teams are left with questions and possibilities. For Boston, the focus shifts to how quickly Vučević can integrate and whether more moves are coming to further reduce the tax bill. For Chicago, the spotlight is on Simons’ fit and the looming possibility of additional trades or buyouts in an increasingly crowded backcourt. One thing’s for sure: with the deadline still days away, the action is far from over, and both teams have positioned themselves for flexibility—on the court and on the books.