The Chicago Bulls remain in rebuild mode after parting ways with DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball dating back to last offseason.
Chicago still has tradable pieces from its early-2020s roster, including two-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic. The veteran big man has been mentioned in trade rumors the past couple of seasons, though his contract has likely cooled interest. He now enters the final year of his deal and is set to make $21.5 million.
While Vucevic hasn’t drawn much interest on the trade market, a playoff-caliber team in need of a center could emerge ahead of the trade deadline. The Bulls aren’t expected to be a contender in the near future, but they could seek out a deal that would help them advance past the Play-In Tournament after missing the postseason in three consecutive seasons.
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Bulls land Anfernee Simons in Nikola Vucevic trade pitch
The Boston Celtics are facing a potential gap year with Jayson Tatum’s return in 2025-26 uncertain following a ruptured Achilles in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Tatum’s injury — combined with looming financial constraints — led the team to trade Kristaps Porzingis in June. Boston is also expected to lose Al Horford in free agency following Luke Kornet’s departure.
The Celtics could rely on Neemias Queta, Chris Boucher and Luka Garza at the five, though they may still target a proven center on the trade market. Nathaniel Holloway of Athlon Sports recently floated a trade pitch that would send Vucevic to Boston, returning Anfernee Simons in a one-for-one swap.
Simons is also on an expiring contract worth $27.7 million this season. The Bulls could absorb his contract and free up center minutes for Zach Collins and Jalen Smith, while the Celtics would acquire a veteran center who could help their playoff push without Tatum.
Acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers in a prior Celtics salary-shedding move, Simons would give Chicago an instant scoring punch in the organization’s pursuit of a playoff berth.
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