The Boston Celtics have been shedding salary all offseason, tearing down their once championship-caliber roster after Jayson Tatum’s ruptured Achilles in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Following their 2024 title, Boston was widely viewed as one of the clear favorites to make it back to the NBA Finals. However, the team fell to the New York Knicks in the postseason, with Tatum suffering the Achilles injury in Game 4 of the second-round series.
Boston decided to cut costs after the loss, facing second-apron penalties and potentially a full year without Tatum. The Celtics traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in June, Luke Kornet joined the San Antonio Spurs in free agency and Al Horford is expected to sign with the Golden State Warriors.
MORE: Celtics insider provides insight into Anfernee Simons trade rumors
Celtics trade idea lands Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic
With training camp fast approaching, the Celtics are preparing to rely on a center group featuring Neemias Queta, Chris Boucher and Luka Garza. However, the team could be looking to upgrade.
Boston acquired Anfernee Simons from the Portland Trail Blazers in the Jrue Holiday deal, though rumors have swirled that he’ll be rerouted on an expiring contract. Nathaniel Holloway of Athlon Sports recently proposed a deal that would send Simons to the Chicago Bulls in a straight-up swap for two-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic.
Vucevic is also on an expiring contract, but he’ll make over $6 million less than Simons in 2025-26. By trading for Vucevic, the Celtics would shed more salary and bolster their frontcourt with a proven veteran big man.
The 34-year-old center is coming off a productive season, averaging 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists across 31.2 minutes per game in 73 regular-season appearances. He also shot a career-high 40.2 percent from three-point range during that span.
Vucevic could help strengthen Boston’s playoff push without Tatum, and he wouldn’t carry a financial commitment past this season.
More NBA News:
- Quentin Grimes still weighing options amid 76ers contract stalemate
- Ex-Knicks All-Star Julius Randle gets brutally honest about Timberwolves trade
- Ex-Bucks Star Damian Lillard reveals return timeline with IShowSpeed
- Kyrie Irving unveils creative tribute to Mavericks teammate Klay Thompson
- Rockets' Kevin Durant claps back with hilarious reply to fan's jab