The Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls shook up the NBA landscape on February 3, 2026, agreeing to a significant trade that saw two-time All-Star center Nikola Vučević head to Boston in exchange for guard Anfernee Simons. The deal, which also involved a swap of second-round draft picks, addresses immediate roster needs and financial concerns for both franchises as they approach the season’s final stretch and the looming trade deadline.
For the Celtics, this move couldn’t have come at a more crucial time. With a 31-18 record, Boston found itself tied with the New York Knicks for the second-best mark in the Eastern Conference. Despite their strong standing, the Celtics’ center rotation had been a patchwork affair, relying heavily on Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, and Xavier Tillman Sr.—a group light on playoff experience and offensive versatility. The absence of star Jayson Tatum for the entire season, due to a torn Achilles, only heightened the need for additional firepower and stability in the frontcourt.
Enter Nikola Vučević, a 35-year-old veteran with 1,020 regular-season games and 16 playoff appearances under his belt. Vučević arrives in Boston averaging 16.9 points, nine rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game this season—numbers that closely mirror his career marks of 17.2 points and 10.4 rebounds. While he’s no stranger to double-doubles, with 19 so far this season, the Celtics are banking on his experience and shooting to complement their existing lineup. As reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, "Boston will trade guard Anfernee Simons and a second-round draft pick to Chicago."
Boston’s need for a reliable big man has been a topic of discussion for months. Neemias Queta has stepped up as one of the league’s most improved players, posting 10.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game as the starting center. However, as CBS Sports noted, "While Neemias Queta has thrived as the starter this season, Luka Garza was not going to cut it in the postseason. Enter, Vučević." The Celtics have long thrived with shooting centers, and Vučević’s ability to stretch the floor and rebound provides a stylistic curveball—something not seen since the days of Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis.
Financially, this trade was a home run for Boston’s front office. Prior to the deal, the Celtics were staring down a daunting luxury tax bill—about $39 million, according to The Athletic. By swapping Simons’ expiring $27.7 million contract for Vučević’s $21.5 million expiring deal, Boston slashed its tax burden to roughly $17 million. ESPN’s Bobby Marks pointed out that the move also made the Celtics eligible to sign a waived player with a pre-existing salary of at least $14.1 million, giving them newfound flexibility as the buyout market heats up. "Boston tax bill drops from $39.5M to $17M. They get out of the first apron. More importantly, they are eligible to sign a player waived that had a pre-existing salary of $14.1M plus," Marks tweeted.
For Anfernee Simons, the trade marks the end of a brief but productive stint in Boston. Acquired last summer from Portland in the deal that sent Jrue Holiday to the Trail Blazers, Simons averaged 14.2 points per game in 49 appearances for the Celtics, shooting an efficient 44% from the floor and 39.5% from beyond the arc. He found his stride in January, averaging 15.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists over 16 games. Simons had nine games this season with 20 or more points—including a 39-point explosion in a road win over the Miami Heat—and dished out five or more assists on five occasions. As CBS Sports observed, "They'll miss his scoring, but if Jayson Tatum comes back, well, that's an easy replacement."
Simons now joins a Bulls backcourt that has undergone a rapid transformation. Earlier on February 3, Chicago executed a three-team trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons, acquiring veteran point guard Mike Conley Jr. and 2022 No. 5 overall pick Jaden Ivey. The Bulls, sitting at 24-26 and hovering around .500, are in the midst of a strategic pivot—focusing on financial flexibility and draft capital rather than chasing immediate playoff success. According to CBS Sports, "The Bulls are going nowhere this season. Sure, they'll probably earn their obligatory Play-In berth, but their ambitions, for now, don't go much further."
Chicago’s haul in the Vučević-Simons swap includes not just a talented young guard, but also a favorable second-round pick—reportedly the most advantageous selection among those controlled by the Pelicans, Blazers, Knicks, and Wolves in June 2026. The Bulls have also been active on other fronts, trading Kevin Huerter and Dario Šarić to the Detroit Pistons as part of a three-team deal. The new arrivals, coupled with the expiring contracts of both Vučević and Simons, set the stage for a summer of flexibility, with unrestricted free agents Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu potentially on the move before the February 5 trade deadline.
For Boston, Vučević’s arrival is about more than just numbers. He brings a wealth of postseason experience—ten of his sixteen playoff games came with the Orlando Magic between 2018 and 2020—and should provide a steadying presence for a Celtics team eyeing a deep playoff run. As The Associated Press put it, "Vučević joins a frontline that was thin on experience as Neemias Queta, Luka Garza and Xavier Tillman Sr. comprise Boston’s center rotation. Vučević has appeared in 16 playoff games... and 1,020 regular-season games. He’ll provide plenty of experience for Boston (31-18) as it looks to separate from the New York Knicks for the No. 2 seed in the East."
The Celtics’ next steps remain to be seen. With increased cap flexibility, they could pursue a veteran on the buyout market or make additional trades to further optimize their roster. The Bulls, meanwhile, continue to accumulate assets and young talent, content to play the long game as they retool for the future.
As the dust settles on this trade, both teams have positioned themselves for the next phase of the NBA season—Boston with an eye on championship contention, Chicago with a focus on rebuilding and financial maneuvering. With the trade deadline just days away, don’t be surprised if more moves are on the horizon.