Celtics Land Nikola Vučević In Major Deadline Trade With Bulls

The NBA trade deadline always brings its share of fireworks, but few moves this season have sparked as much conversation as the Boston Celtics’ decision to acquire veteran center Nikola Vučević from the Chicago Bulls. The deal, finalized on February 3, 2026, sends 35-year-old Vučević and a package of second-round draft picks to Boston in exchange for guard Anfernee Simons and a matching second-round pick. While the transaction is still pending official league approval, the implications for both franchises—and the Eastern Conference playoff race—are already being dissected by analysts and fans alike.

For Boston, this trade is about more than just bolstering the frontcourt. The Celtics, sitting at 31-18 and tied with the New York Knicks for the second-best record in the East, have been searching for a reliable big man to complement their rotation of Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, and Xavier Tillman Sr. The absence of Jayson Tatum, who has missed the entire season so far with a torn Achilles, has only heightened the need for reinforcements. Enter Vučević, a two-time All-Star and one of the league’s most consistent double-double threats.

Vučević brings a wealth of experience—over 1,020 regular-season games and 16 playoff appearances, with career averages of 17.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. This season, he’s maintained strong production, averaging 16.9 points, nine rebounds, and 3.8 assists per contest over 48 games. Though his double-double streak has dipped slightly, with 19 such performances so far, his presence immediately upgrades Boston’s interior scoring and rebounding. As The Associated Press noted, "Vučević will slot in as an immediate starter at center, joining a frontline that was thin on experience."

Boston’s frontcourt has leaned heavily on Queta, who’s having a breakout year with 10.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. While Queta’s athleticism and rim protection have been valuable, the Celtics needed a stylistic curveball—someone who can stretch the floor and provide a different look offensively. Vučević’s shooting touch and passing ability fit the bill, allowing Boston to toggle between different playing styles, especially in the postseason when matchups become paramount.

The move also carries significant financial ramifications. By swapping Simons’ $27.7 million expiring contract for Vučević’s $21.5 million expiring deal, the Celtics have slashed their luxury tax bill from about $39.5 million to roughly $17 million. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, "Boston became eligible to sign a waived player with a pre-existing salary of at least $14.1 million due to the trade." This newfound flexibility could prove crucial as the buyout market heats up, giving the Celtics a chance to add another impact player for the playoff push.

Of course, the trade isn’t without its sacrifices. Anfernee Simons, just 26 years old, was acquired last summer in the deal that sent Jrue Holiday to Portland. Though he started slowly in Boston, Simons found his groove in January, averaging 15.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists over 16 games. For the season, he’s posted 14.2 points per game in 49 appearances, shooting 44% from the floor and an impressive 39.5% from beyond the arc. He’s reached the 20-point mark nine times, including a 39-point explosion in a road win over the Miami Heat.

Simons’ departure leaves a scoring void off the Celtics’ bench, but with the anticipated return of Tatum and the steady play of Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard, Boston hopes its backcourt production will remain strong. As one trade analyst put it, "Losing Simons stings. Though he started out the year slowly, he was finding his footing in Boston after spending most of his career on Portland teams that weren’t true contenders. They’ll miss his scoring, but if Jayson Tatum comes back, well, that’s an easy replacement."

For the Bulls, this trade is emblematic of a broader shift toward rebuilding and flexibility. Chicago, currently 24-26 and hovering around .500, has not returned to the playoffs since a first-round exit in 2022. The acquisition of Simons, along with veteran Mike Conley Jr. and 2022 No. 5 overall pick Jaden Ivey in a separate three-team trade earlier the same day, signals a retooled backcourt and a focus on accumulating draft capital. The Bulls are expected to receive the most favorable second-round pick among those held by the Pelicans, Blazers, Knicks, and Wolves in June 2026, further bolstering their future assets.

Vučević’s five-and-a-half-season tenure in Chicago comes to a close after he was originally acquired from Orlando in 2021, a move intended to end a postseason drought. While he helped the Bulls return to the playoffs the following year, sustained success eluded the franchise. Now, as the Bulls prepare for a possible Play-In berth, they’re using the deadline to facilitate deals, take on expiring contracts, and set themselves up for future moves. As one analyst observed, "The Bulls aren’t forcing win-now moves and they’re not being stingy with their cash. They’re making the most of what they have, and will likely continue to do so."

Chicago’s activity at the deadline didn’t stop with the Celtics trade. The Bulls also sent Kevin Huerter and Dario Šarić to the Detroit Pistons in a three-team deal involving the Minnesota Timberwolves, receiving Jaden Ivey in return. With both Simons and Vučević set to become free agents this summer, the Bulls maintain flexibility to reshape their roster and potentially move on from other veterans like Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu, both of whom are unrestricted free agents after the season.

For Boston, the next steps are clear: integrate Vučević into the rotation, monitor the buyout market, and prepare for a playoff run that could hinge on their newfound frontcourt depth and financial wiggle room. For Chicago, the focus shifts to development, asset accumulation, and perhaps more moves before the February 6 deadline.

With the trade still pending league approval, both teams are poised at a crossroads. The Celtics have addressed a glaring need and improved their financial outlook, while the Bulls continue to pivot toward the future. As the dust settles, all eyes will be on how quickly Vučević adapts to Boston—and whether Simons can help spark a new era in Chicago’s backcourt.