Reports emerging on Tuesday indicate that the Chicago Bulls are dispatching veteran two-time All-Star big man Nikola Vučević along with a second-round draft selection to the Boston Celtics in exchange for perimeter player Anfernee Simons and another second-round draft choice.
This transaction frees Boston from the initial luxury tax apron, decreasing their tax obligation from an estimated $39.5 million down to $17 million, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN. Marks further pointed out that the Celtics can now pursue signing a player released by another team, provided that player’s previous salary was no less than $14.1 million.
Presently, the Celtics hold a record of 31 wins and 18 losses, placing them jointly in the second-highest position within the Eastern Conference standings.
The 35-year-old Nikola Vučević, known for consistently achieving double-doubles, is expected to enhance the Celtics’ frontcourt presence, which has recently relied on Neemias Queta and Luka Garza. Conversely, Simons will integrate into the Bulls’ guard rotation, which now features the veteran 38-year-old Mike Conley Jr. and Jaden Ivey, the fifth overall selection from the 2022 draft, subsequent to Chicago’s reported agreement on a multi-team deal involving the Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons just hours prior.
The tenure of Vučević, spanning over five seasons with the Bulls, who currently stand at 24 wins and 26 losses, has concluded.
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Chicago acquired his services in a trade during the middle of the 2020-21 season. This occurred when the Orlando Magic were embarking on a roster overhaul, and the Bulls aimed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since their 2016-17 appearance. That season, which marked Vučević’s second All-Star selection, saw their playoff absence persist, though he played a role in bringing the Bulls back to the postseason the subsequent year.
However, they have not advanced to the playoffs again following their initial round elimination in 2022. With their win-loss record currently hovering near the .500 mark, the team is opting for strategic alterations.
Although Vučević’s current statistics, 16.9 points and nine rebounds per contest, represent his first instance of averaging below a double-double since the 2017-18 season, he has nevertheless accumulated 19 double-doubles throughout the present campaign.
Vučević is expected to integrate into the Celtics’ rotational lineup, which prominently features wing player Jaylen Brown, alongside guards Derrick White and Payton Pritchard, particularly during the absence of their standout star, Jayson Tatum.
Simons, at 26 years old, had been contributing off the bench for the Boston squad. He joined them last summer via a trade that saw Jrue Holiday move to the Portland Trail Blazers. Across his 49 appearances for the Celtics, Simons maintained an average of 14.2 points, demonstrating a 44% field goal accuracy and connecting on 39.5% of his three-point attempts.
This season, he has reached the 20-point mark or higher on nine separate occasions, notably achieving 39 points in a road victory against the Miami Heat just last month. Furthermore, Simons has distributed five or more assists in five distinct games during the 2025-26 season.
Prior to the deadline, Boston found itself approximately $12.1 million above the luxury tax limit, as reported by The Athletic. The Celtics are now reducing their salary commitments, given that Simons possesses an expiring contract valued at $27.7 million and Vučević is on an expiring deal worth $21.5 million, information also sourced from The Athletic.
