The Boston Celtics made waves ahead of the NBA trade deadline on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, by acquiring veteran center Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for guard Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick. The deal, reported by ESPN's Shams Charania and confirmed by multiple sources, marks the Celtics' first significant move of deadline week and signals a clear intention to bolster their frontcourt depth while addressing key financial concerns.
Vucevic, a 35-year-old two-time All-Star, arrives in Boston with a strong pedigree and a track record of consistent production. This season, he has averaged 16.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, shooting 50.5% from the field, 37.6% from three-point range, and 83.8% from the free throw line over 48 starts. His ability to stretch the floor, score in the post, and contribute as a playmaker fits seamlessly into head coach Joe Mazzulla’s offensive system. The Celtics, who have leaned heavily on Neemias Queta at center, now gain a proven big man who can anchor the paint and improve their offensive versatility.
"Vučević fits perfectly into what the Celtics want to do offensively. Remember all that stuff Horford and Porziņģis were capable of doing on offense? Vučević does all of that. Maybe not as well as Porziņģis when healthy, but he’s somewhere between what an older Horford and a healthy KP can give them," one analyst observed, highlighting the veteran's versatility and value to the Celtics’ evolving lineup.
The trade is not just about on-court performance. Financially, Boston stands to benefit significantly. By swapping Simons’ $27.4 million salary for Vucevic’s $21.5 million, the Celtics cut about $5.9 million from their payroll. This move slashes their repeater tax penalty by a whopping $21.8 million, leaving them $5.9 million over the luxury tax line and facing $17.7 million in luxury tax penalties. With the NBA trade deadline looming at 3 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, Boston’s front office is expected to remain active, possibly exploring further trades to get under the tax threshold entirely. Chris Boucher has been mentioned as a likely candidate to be moved, with league sources suggesting that Boston could consider additional deals to reset its repeater tax status for future seasons.
For the Celtics, the timing of this trade is critical. The team has weathered a challenging season, including the loss of Jayson Tatum to an Achilles injury and a summer of tough roster decisions driven by second-apron tax penalties. Despite these hurdles, Boston remains a contender in the Eastern Conference. The addition of Vucevic is seen as a "good, low-stakes addition" that could help the Celtics make a deep postseason run, especially as they look to shore up their rebounding and interior presence—areas where they have struggled, ranking just 19th in defensive rebounding rate this season.
Vucevic’s impact isn’t limited to his scoring. He’s recognized as a strong defensive rebounder, a skill that helped the Bulls rank fourth in defensive rebounding this season. His capacity to run dribble hand-offs, execute pick-and-pop plays, and facilitate from the post gives Boston new options on offense. While his defense has been criticized at times, his offensive and rebounding contributions are expected to outweigh any potential drawbacks, especially with Queta moving to a backup role where he can exploit matchups against weaker second units.
Boston’s projected starting lineup after the trade features Payton Pritchard and Derrick White as guards, Jaylen Brown at small forward, Sam Hauser at power forward, and Nikola Vucevic at center. This arrangement allows Neemias Queta to provide a spark off the bench, with additional depth from players like Luka Garza and Amari Williams. The Celtics’ depth chart now appears more balanced, with improved options at every position and the flexibility to adjust lineups based on matchups.
On the other side of the deal, the Chicago Bulls continue to reshape their roster with an eye toward the future. By acquiring Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick, the Bulls add another guard to a backcourt already featuring Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu—both on expiring contracts. Simons, who averaged 14.2 points and shot 39.5% from three during his brief stint in Boston, arrives on an expiring deal himself. The Bulls’ strategy seems focused on flexibility, with the potential to flip White or Dosunmu before the deadline or explore re-signing Simons in the offseason.
"Are the Bulls trying to create a roster mostly made up of guards? They’re acquiring Jaden Ivey in a different trade, and now bringing in Simons. Granted, Simons is on an expiring deal, so this might not be a long-term play at all," one commentator mused, capturing the uncertainty surrounding Chicago’s direction. Some analysts have questioned whether the Bulls maximized their leverage in this deal, noting that Boston’s need for a big man and desire to manage their payroll gave Chicago an opportunity to extract more value.
Vucevic, meanwhile, departs Chicago after nearly five seasons with the Bulls, having joined the team during the 2020-2021 campaign following a nine-year run with the Orlando Magic. He was named an NBA All-Star twice while with the Magic, in 2019 and 2021, and has built a reputation as a reliable interior presence with a deft shooting touch. His expiring contract means he could become a free agent this summer, adding an element of urgency for Boston to make the most of his contributions in what could be a short-term rental.
With the trade deadline fast approaching, both teams may not be done dealing. The Celtics are widely expected to pursue further moves to get under the luxury tax line, potentially reshaping their rotation even more before Thursday’s cutoff. The Bulls, for their part, might continue to shuffle expiring contracts and explore trade opportunities for their newly acquired guards.
As the dust settles on this headline-grabbing trade, the Celtics find themselves with an upgraded roster and a clearer financial path heading into the stretch run of the season. The Bulls, meanwhile, remain a team in transition, stockpiling assets and keeping their options open as the deadline drama unfolds. All eyes will be on Boston’s front office as the clock ticks down, with fans and analysts alike eager to see whether more fireworks are in store before the 3 p.m. deadline on February 5. One thing’s for sure: the NBA’s trade season is just heating up, and the Celtics have fired the first major shot.