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It was a busy trade deadline day for the Boston Celtics, who salary-dumped three players and converted two-way center Amari Williams to a standard contract. Plus, there’s the addition of veteran center Nikola Vučević, acquired from the Chicago Bulls in the Anfernee Simons trade, which sparked the organization’s final 72 hours of activity.
Boston’s trio of trades during Thursday afternoon’s hours — with the Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets, and Charlotte Hornets — allowed the Celtics to reduce their projected salary and luxury tax figure down to $186.5 million, seven months and three weeks after it stood at $540 million.
By parting ways with Simons, Chris Boucher, Josh Minott, and Xavier Tillman Sr., the Celtics dumped enough salary to sit approximately $840,000 under the tax line while creating three open standard-contract roster spots. The Celtics will be able to stay below the tax by getting creative and leveraging 10-Day contracts, as well as other vehicles. The added flexibility allows Brad Stevens to survey the buyout market for depth upgrades moving forward.
The players the Celtics acquired:
The picks and players the Celtics sent out:
The new, full Celtics roster
Celtics draft picks remaining
2026: first-round pick, second-round pick (via Detroit Pistons), second-round pick (via New Orleans Pelicans)
2028: first-round pick (via swap with San Antonio Spurs, least favorable)
2031: first-round pick, second-round pick, second-round pick (conditional via Houston Rockets)
Vučević stands as Boston’s premier trade deadline acquisition, brought in to address the team’s need for frontcourt depth. Since the 35-year-old wasn’t mentioned in the Celtics’ latest injury report, he’ll likely debut in Friday night’s game against the Heat at TD Garden.
This season, Vučević is averaging 16.9 points with nine rebounds and 3.8 assists, while shooting 50.5% from the field and 37.6% from 3-point range across 48 appearances.
In addition, the Celtics bring in John Tonje on a two-way contract from Utah, after being drafted by the Jazz with the 53rd pick last Spring. He was a consensus second-team All-American last season at Wisconsin, averaging 19.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists on 38.8% shooting from 3-point range. He has spent most of the season in the G League, averaging 18 points, 4.1 rebounds, and1.4 assists, while shooting 37.6% from 3-point range with Salt Lake City.
What are your thoughts on the new-look Celtics following Thursday’s trade deadline? Let us know in the comments down below.