Celtics Ship Anfernee Simons to Bulls, Land Nikola Vucevic in Frontcourt-Focused Deal
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The Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls have finalized a trade that sends guard Anfernee Simons to Chicago and brings center Nikola Vucevic to Boston, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Both clubs will also receive a second-round pick in the transaction. Specific details were not disclosed, though the Bulls are expected to obtain the more favorable selection because Boston will realize sizable luxury-tax savings.
Why Boston Pulled the Trigger
Boston’s frontcourt depth has been thin since the offseason departures of Kristaps Porzingis (trade), Al Horford and Luke Kornet (free agency). Simons’ $27.7 million expiring contract had long been viewed as a potential cost-cutting asset, but his production—14.2 points, 2.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 24.5 minutes while shooting 39.5 percent from deep—made the decision to move him less than straightforward for a 31-18 team chasing a top-two seed.
President of basketball operations Brad Stevens ultimately prioritized additional size, salary relief and roster flexibility. Vucevic, 35, fits the bill as a floor-spacing big averaging 16.9 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists this season, along with a 37.6 percent mark from three-point range.
Cap Impact
Vucevic is on an expiring $21.5 million contract, trimming Boston’s projected luxury-tax liability by more than $22 million—from roughly $39.5 million to $17 million—per ESPN’s Bobby Marks. The move also places the Celtics below the first tax apron.
Chicago, meanwhile, adds a proven scorer in Simons and gains a second-round pick, enhancing future draft capital while assuming the guard’s expiring deal.
No additional players or cash considerations were reported.
Source: Hoops Rumors
