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The Boston Celtics have made a splash two days ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the C’s traded guard Anfernee Simons to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for big man Nikola Vucevic. The two sides also reportedly swapped second-round draft picks in the deal.
Here’s an instant reaction to the deal from Celtics Insider Chris Forsberg:
- Celtics’ biggest need was clearly big-man depth. As good as Queta/Garza have been, adding a vet aids any playoff quest.
- Vucevic adds a floor-stretching big who shot 40.2 percent from 3 last season and will gobble up rebounds on the defensive end.
- As good as he was in recent weeks, Simons wasn’t going to see as many shots if/when Jayson Tatum returns.
- Celtics save $6 million in the swap, dip off the first apron and have some buyout flexibility now.
- Wonder if the team hunts a big guard, particularly if another roster spot opens should the team decide to move Chris Boucher before the deadline.
Frontcourt depth was a glaring need for Boston despite Neemias Queta and Luka Garza stepping up in their increased roles. Vucevic, a 15-year veteran, is averaging 16.9 points and 9.0 rebounds through 48 games this season. The 35-year-old is shooting 38 percent from 3-point range.
The Celtics initially acquired Simons from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Jrue Holiday in July. A starter in Portland, Simons embraced a sixth-man role in Boston and provided a consistent scoring spark off for the second unit.
The 26-year-old sharpshooter had a handful of 20-plus point games off the C’s bench, including a 39-point outburst vs. the Miami Heat last month and a 27-point performance in Sunday’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Watch as Anfernee Simons defines a ‘Tommy Point’ with his play on both ends of the court without even knowing the term.
Swapping Simons for Vucevic could indicate that superstar Jayson Tatum is nearing his long-awaited return to the Celtics lineup. If and when Tatum returns, Simons would have had even fewer opportunities to make an impact. Vucevic, on the other hand, could fill an Al Horford-like role down the stretch.
Both Simons and Vucevic are on expiring contracts. Simons is owed $27.7 million this season, while Vucevic is earning $21.5 million.
According to Keith Smith of Spotrac, the Celtics are now under the first apron and roughly $6 million from being under the tax as a result of the trade.
Simons won’t have to wait long for his “revenge game.” The Celtics will host the Bulls at TD Garden on Feb. 11.
The 2025 NBA trade deadline is set for Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.