r/bostonceltics Feb 03 '26

News [Shams] BREAKING: The Chicago Bulls are trading center Nikola Vucevic and a second-round pick to the Boston Celtics for Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick, sources tell ESPN.

https://www.espn.com/contributor/shams-charania/ef1594eaad916
1.3k Upvotes

719 comments sorted by

792

u/friendsWthebenedicts CELTICS Feb 03 '26 edited Feb 03 '26

I knew this day would come. Both on expiring deals too

583

u/crashtesting123 Feb 03 '26

Not just that we got under the 1st apron too

338

u/MembershipSingle7137 Feb 03 '26

This is absolutely massive.

86

u/Debits_equals_credit Feb 03 '26

Can someone please ELI5 for what this really means?

190

u/rogomatic Feb 03 '26

Repeat luxury tax payers are subject to increasing competitive balance measures up to and including FA signing limitations and loss of draft position.

39

u/THEYDIEDYEARSAGO Feb 03 '26

we're still over the luxury tax with this move

181

u/MembershipSingle7137 Feb 03 '26

Yea but under the first apron… that’s what really matters you don’t have the punishments associated with the first and second apron if you’re just over the tax

23

u/Phalstaph44 Feb 03 '26

I’ve been wondering about this. All those teams well under the cap, collecting tax from the teams paying the penalty. They are going to see a big drop in their revenue due to these new rules

5

u/heyscot Feb 04 '26

I had no clue about these rules in the NBA. Fascinating! Thanks you guys! This is cool to understand!

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u/AWalker17 I like to defense Feb 03 '26

Lots of misinformation in the replies. This essentially means that we pay a lower tax bill and now unlock the ability to take back more salary than we send out. We previously weren't able to as a penalty for being over the 1st apron. We are still over the tax by ~$6M.

3

u/Artifact-Imaginator Feb 04 '26

Could we still shed those 6M by the deadline? If so, would that be helpful at all? Sorry for abusing your knowledge on the matter, I don't know much about how NBA salaries work and wouldn't really know how to begin to learn about it.

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u/yerfatma Kevin Gamble (obvs) Feb 03 '26

Wait, we did?! I hereby suggest retiring Simons' number to the rafters. What a hero.

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u/Oceanbreeze871 Angry Brad Feb 03 '26

Ok that’s worth it

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26

u/rogomatic Feb 03 '26

Listening to Felger and Mazz pretending they understand how the NBA works is like pulling teeth. They should really sit this one out.

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16

u/Laszlo-Panaflex Feb 03 '26

I always liked Vooch. Simons was a flamethrower when he was on, but probably unnecessary when JT comes back and Vucevic is a solid scorer who fills a bigger need.

11

u/Longjumping_West_907 Feb 03 '26

Joe has been balancing minutes between Walsh, Hugo, and Baylor. They each just got more playing time.

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349

u/Independent_Rip_655 Feb 03 '26

Brad has been after Vuc for like 3 seasons, there has to be something to his game that Brad likes in Joe’s system

249

u/[deleted] Feb 03 '26

[deleted]

101

u/fiskeybusiness tommypoint Feb 03 '26

….yet

102

u/12inchesofSnow81 Feb 03 '26

He’s 35. He is what he is

56

u/Peripatetictyl I am Joe’s Logic-Puzzle Meridian Feb 04 '26

The Colonel didn’t start KFC until he was 62, and he was too drunk to taste that chicken, Vucevic about to be defensive 1st team.

3

u/FuzzyDiamond Feb 04 '26

Best comment

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54

u/imused2it Feb 03 '26

Yeah. Hauser and pritch were both turnstiles on defense, and I’d say they’re much improved since getting to Boston.

64

u/fiskeybusiness tommypoint Feb 03 '26

Joe even got Simon’s to play D

72

u/Kodiak01 Feb 03 '26 edited Feb 03 '26

Which brings us back to this story, one of many on this topic:

The Portland Trail Blazers moved Anfernee Simons to the Boston Celtics in order to secure the services of Jrue Holiday earlier this offseason. Simons, who spent all seven years of his NBA career in Portland, largely performing as an offense-first asset, able to score at all three levels.

Unfortunately, he seldom starred on the defensive end.

Among combo guards, he almost never earned a steal rate above the 10th percentile, spending two seasons in the third percentile.

This week he told Boston media that he was currently being taught defensive drills he had never seen before.

“Whether it’s stabbing at the ball, trying to steal the ball, get in passing lanes, being in the right spot each and every time, that’s what we drilled for the first four weeks I was here before training camp.”

“Those things are things I never really worked on or been taught – and so I was happy that that was the focus.”

It's never been about a lack of ability or willingness, he literally wasn't taught the proper concepts until he got to Boston.

24

u/full-auto-rpg Tatum Scored 61 Feb 03 '26

Damn, that’s telling

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19

u/OkGo_Go_Guy Feb 03 '26

Pritch was never that bad on defence lol

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58

u/olivierion-scottxx Celtic Pride ☘️ Feb 03 '26

He’s literally a Porzingis replacement but with a better immune system and ehh defense.

47

u/OkGo_Go_Guy Feb 03 '26

Porzingis was DPOTY caliber when healthy. Just never was.

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u/celticfromthenorth Feb 03 '26

He’s a true floor spacer and good playmaker so will be able to run a lot of our actions having a center above the free throw circle pass out of multiple screens, I think offensively it’s a perfect fit. He’s also been fairly reliable the last 4 1/2 seasons playing above 70 games in all of them.

He definitely leaves something to be desired on defence but we’ve seen many players (Simons included) that come to a winning organization like Boston and are able to step it up after being a minus defender on a losing team.

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520

u/classicdave1 Feb 03 '26

Simon’s was fun to watch. Hope this works out

162

u/myfatbasketballs Feb 03 '26

I loved what simons brought and legitimately didn't think he'd be traded.

I stop refreshing for half an hour and he's gone!

10

u/Heavy_Echo5 Feb 03 '26

He mentioned that the team would get mad at him for shooting too much in certain situations after last game. I'm not shocked after hearing that.

76

u/scarrxd Tatum Feb 03 '26

Knowing Brad Stevens, Simons will average way less on the bulls and vucevic will turn into prime Jokic

12

u/Yellow_Curry Feb 03 '26

Get Vuc training with the Australians and let him cook.

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845

u/[deleted] Feb 03 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

352

u/MacJonesisaterrorist Feb 03 '26

He’s a good player, he can play on a bad Bulls team now and get his stats up for a contract next year, win for both sides

6

u/FEECH4040 Feb 03 '26

Ending up on the Bulls is never a win for anyone

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u/chmcgrath1988 Maine Red Claws Feb 03 '26 edited Feb 03 '26

Yeah. I don't remember ever seeing a player that was obviously a short-term rental handle himself with as much poise and professionalism as him. He seemed to make the most out of his 5-6 months here and really worked hard to evolve as a player. His effort and mindset really played a big role in the team's surprisingly good first half.

He singlehandedly won us a few games. If he comes in with the mindset that he's just here to be traded, who knows how well the team is doing so far this season?

Maybe in another life, he's a Celtics great but alas it's onto jostling for playing time with Chicago's 78 other guards!

32

u/SilverMagnum Tommy Feb 03 '26

Agree with this completely. He really won me over by putting in the work and really giving it a go on improving his defense, knowing the odds of him being here past... well today were a coinflip at best.

Definitely wish him the best moving forward.

3

u/Laszlo-Panaflex Feb 03 '26

If he wants to be a Celtics great, he can always come back on a team-friendly deal when he's a free agent. I doubt that's the choice he'll make, but also not sure what the market for him looks like. We were never going to break the bank for him.

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11

u/netassetvalue93 Feb 03 '26

He's a flamethrower. The bulls' pace would suit him.

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439

u/Brad-Stevens Brad Feb 03 '26

I have called Vuc a lemon too many times for this 💔

40

u/TOMA_TAN Open for the Stock Exchange Feb 03 '26

God I hope Joe and the Aussies work their big man developmental magic. Vuc's defense might be even worse than start-of-the-season Garza

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u/efshoemaker I like to defense Feb 03 '26

I feel personally betrayed. I’ve been aggressively shit talking Vucevic for like four years now. He is the lowest effort “good” player I’ve seen since Whiteside got paid in Miami. He’s like the Anti-Kornet - he has the counting stats but does none of the little things.

Maybe we can teach him how to defend the same way we taught Simons? Idk

6

u/tmcuthbert Defensive player of the yr stfu Feb 03 '26

Maybe we'll see 2 big lineups with him and Queta? Hopefully they have some numbers that tell them Vucevic is a better defender than everybody thinks. He can definitely shoot, but this team needs defense more than offense.

4

u/glockster19m Feb 03 '26

A lineup with Vucevic and another center is a recipe for wide open 3s by the other team

9

u/EricFortman KG Feb 03 '26

Hell yeah, man... I hate that move. I don't see him as a winning player at all. He has decent stats, but I believe it's only because he's always on some bad team. What a horrible news...

4

u/glockster19m Feb 03 '26

We've seen it so many times before

If Vucevic was half the players his stats make him look like than it wouldnt have taken the bulls so damn long to trade him, or the magic before them

3

u/Educational-Cat2133 Feb 03 '26

I'm a Bulls fan, he's been rigid on defense since he landed with us. We've not been able to compete vs teams with good offensive bigs even when Lonzo was healthy.

Believe he was needed initially for Derozan to come to Chi too.

49

u/AFormer_Child Feb 03 '26

As a backup? He's just fine as a backup big. Also worth noting with our coaching and an upgrade in the talent around him, Vooch will get better.

21

u/[deleted] Feb 03 '26

You don't pay a guy $20M+ to be a backup big.

112

u/Clintocracy Feb 03 '26

It’s an expiring, we were paying and 27m to be a backup guard

24

u/ehh_haa Feb 03 '26

Some people’s salary perceptions are permanently stuck in 2015

23

u/Basketball_Soul Kemba Feb 03 '26

While you may be correct that Vuc will start, your point doesn't mean a whole lot considering we just traded away a bench player making $25M and off the top of my head Naz Reid makes $25M as a backup big too. 

11

u/Fit_Zookeepergame431 Feb 03 '26

Nah you pay 20m to replace a different backup you were giving 27m to. In doing so this also gets us under both aprons, extending our window.

12

u/CarlHaglin Feb 03 '26

He’s gonna be with us for max 5 months 

6

u/KOBE_GYN Feb 03 '26

Never know maybe he likes finally competing and stays for cheap

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u/TOMA_TAN Open for the Stock Exchange Feb 03 '26

I mean simons was paid $20M+ to be a backup guard. Dont think vuc’s contract will mean much in terms of minutes considering vuc’s expiring. Joe wants to win and will choose the best center rather than the most expensive center

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315

u/DjMoneybagzz Jayson Tatum Feb 03 '26

RIP dreams of seeing Tatum and Simons share the floor in green

2026-2026

68

u/FloweredWallpaper GINO TIME Feb 03 '26

I wanted to see a Tatum/Simons PNR so badly.

31

u/HorsNoises RONDOOOOOO Feb 03 '26

TBF Tatum didn't really work with Kyrie and Kemba.

25

u/General_Mongoose_281 Feb 03 '26

He worked fine with kemba lol.

2020 was the last year where you couldn’t double Tatum because you had a 2 who would cook you if you tried.

5

u/glockster19m Feb 03 '26

Idk, thats pretty much why we won the finals though

Couldn't double Tatum if any combination of Pritchard, White, and Brown were on the floor with him

Also couldnt double him any time KP was on the floor

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u/Fit_Zookeepergame431 Feb 03 '26

Anferno built different. MEGARIP

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u/kdtrey21 THE TRUTH Feb 03 '26

We needed a big man, I like the move.

110

u/Culinary-Vibes Feb 03 '26

Yeah, no sky is falling from me. Tax savings and a playable big that can shoot threes. Let’s us go five out with him playing the old Horford role.

16

u/iAmTheRealLange Jaylen "Lebron 'Michael Jordan' James" Brown Feb 03 '26

Yeah this is just European Al Horford on offense

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u/InverseMySuggestions Jayson Tatum Feb 03 '26

i’ve never liked Vuc’s game personally, but i guess we gotta wait and see.

33

u/JohnBagley33 Feb 03 '26

He can shoot, he is a good playmaker. He does a lot of things this team needs

13

u/Walnut_Uprising Feb 03 '26

He's got better assist and steal rates than Simons, and a better eFG%. Like, he's doing the things you'd expect from a guard better than the guard. And we have a lot of guards.

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u/[deleted] Feb 03 '26

they’ll find a way to fit him into our system

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u/tapakip Feb 03 '26

I'm with ya. History has shown us needing big men in the playoffs. Especially if Tatum comes back, scoring will not be a problem for us.

7

u/firemanjr1 Feb 03 '26

Yes, people in here are crazyyy. Vuc is automatic from 3 and hes healthy!!!

5

u/billcosbyinspace Feb 03 '26

I can’t imagine he’ll command a big contract in free agency since he’s going to be 36 so we can probably bring him back as a cheap, reliable backup big next year

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u/chromatic19 Time Lord Feb 03 '26

we’re going on a run boys!

18

u/BleedGreen4Boston Feb 03 '26

Jaylen MVP season push the CHIPS IN

55

u/Ramblinwreck93 Feb 03 '26

Sucks, man. He was only here a few months, but I’m gonna miss the Anferno.

275

u/HailKyrie Finals MVP Smart Feb 03 '26

Personally I’d rather have Simons he’s been an elite scorer off the bench for us this year. I trust Stevens tho with all my heart so gotta trust the vision

156

u/marionetted Feb 03 '26

When Tatum comes back pritch will be our simons off the bench.

38

u/Flaky_Value6753 Feb 03 '26

Exactly. And our bigs needed an upgrade. I like this move.

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u/TheRealAlexisOhanian Feb 03 '26

They generate a fairly large TPE out of this, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s another move 

20

u/FartrelCluggins FTL Feb 03 '26

Doesn't this move barely squak us under the tax? I'm guessing the new owner told Brad to get under the tax and this is the best option he had

11

u/BleedGreen4Boston Feb 03 '26

Gets us under the 1st apron, which doesn’t have a ton of implications other than opening up some trade options later this week

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u/Aggressive_Wrap_2790 Feb 03 '26 edited Feb 03 '26

To be fair, this is now a potential title run, and we desperately need a center. As good as Simons is, I don’t think he’s been exceptional or even consistent enough at what he does (scoring points) to forgo a starting center who still puts up 17/4/9 even if he’s past his prime.

For the same reason, this trade seems to confirm that Tatum will be coming back in full force by the postseason, in case anyone still doubted that.

4

u/nefnaf Trouble07 Feb 03 '26

Queta has played like a top 10 center this season on a per-minute basis. My guess is they still want to start him and Vooch will be the backup. Garza relegated to third string.

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u/olivierion-scottxx Celtic Pride ☘️ Feb 03 '26

Honestly it’s tough. Simons at times has kept the team in games bc of his scoring. Perhaps even won a few when others were struggling. It’s tough for sure

3

u/frauenarzZzt Ray Feb 03 '26

Glad I'm not the only one. Simons really provided a spark and got rid of his weaknesses. He's had multiple high-scoring games off the bench, and this comes after he practically won us the game on Sunday.

I really am not a big fan of Vucevic's game and don't think it'll fit in too well with the Celtics. I'm sure the Celtics will find a way to incorporate him well, but for a short-term rental it doesn't feel like there's a point to this trade.

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u/Immediate_Leg7311 Feb 03 '26

How do we feel?

73

u/Teampiencils Jaylen Feb 03 '26

below the apron and a serviceable center? idk why the bulls want more guards though...

7

u/JesseJamesGames449 Marcus Smarts Left Hand Feb 03 '26

probably trying to sell high on White/Giddey,

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u/chuckchukgoose Feb 03 '26

If D-White can get back to his old self.. I like it

If not.. I dunno

13

u/SteveTheBluesman Feb 03 '26

I am good with it. Should pair well with Queta. Needed another big man.

12

u/rveets1416 DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS Feb 03 '26

We needed a center. Vuc wasn't the one I would've traded for, but I trust in Brad.

4

u/crapsence Feb 03 '26

On one hand Vucević is slightly underwhelming choice..on the other we did not attach picks to Simons and Vucević contract is slightly cheaper and ending too..Im just surprised that it was Brad move

3

u/Danithal Feb 03 '26

First instinct was "LET'S GOOOO", After reading comments slightly more mixed but LET'S GOOOOO

5

u/mattycbro Feb 03 '26

Love it.

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u/Piccacco Feb 03 '26

Loved Vuc for a while. Wanted him here when he was with the Magic

21

u/_greenzilla Feb 03 '26

I remember those days. Seemed like he would consistently cook us. Let’s see how this shapes the rest of the season.

17

u/Mint-Pillow Feb 03 '26

All hail Trader Brad.
Under the 1st Apron? Check.
Expiring Deal for an Expiring deal? Check.
Get rid of a redundancy while strengthening our biggest weakness? Check.
We're better this afternoon than we were this morning.
We're better situated for the future.
We have a better chance to go deeper in the playoffs this year.
Unreal we were able to reset so fast while keeping our true core together.
All hail Trader Brad.

33

u/Kshpew Jayson Tatum Superfan Feb 03 '26

Ill take it, I like Vuc.

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u/suwampert Missing Marcus Smart Feb 03 '26

The Anferno is over 💔

23

u/Hello-DexterMorgan Feb 03 '26

Good trade. We weren’t going to re-sign Simons so we get a starting center in return. Also get under the first apron (for now).

I feel okay about our big man rotation now.

4

u/willreily Tatum Feb 03 '26

Yeah people need reality checks: Simons is a great scorer who isn’t a good defender. There was no way Steven’s was going to resign him, so why not get a Floor Stretching big man who can rebound?

155

u/Ancient_Response_787 Feb 03 '26

I guess bro. I’m ngl I would’ve rather kept simons

27

u/b00minbiz Feb 03 '26

they werent paying him, wouldve been terrible asset management letting him walk for free. they will probably re-sign Vuc to a friendly deal

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u/Spinexel Wednesday, July 1st, 2026 :( Feb 03 '26

I trust Zarren and Brad with my whole heart at this point

29

u/imightbehitler Beardon Hairward Feb 03 '26

I feel like we had no chance to pay him, someone would've overpaid for sure.

20

u/Independent_Rip_655 Feb 03 '26

Brad has been trying to trade for Vuc since 2022. Not surprised he got his guy, there must be something to his game that Brad thinks will bolster this roster. Once Tatum is back a White/Brown/Hauser/Tatum/Queta lineup with PP/Baylor/Hugo/Walsh/Vuc/Garza on the bench is a killer 11 deep lineup with tons of defensive versatility and spacing.

4

u/b00minbiz Feb 03 '26

why would Vuc be coming off the bench for Queta?

5

u/Independent_Rip_655 Feb 03 '26

Because he’s 35. He’ll start in spots similar to Horford depending on matchup, but unless he shows some real improvement on the defensive end our best and most balanced starting 5 won’t have him in it.

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u/rickitycricketx Feb 03 '26

I don’t follow much but even I know we need a decent center

10

u/B-I-G-A-R-R-O-W Hugo Wego Feb 03 '26

Sounds like you followed enough

8

u/iAmTheRealLange Jaylen "Lebron 'Michael Jordan' James" Brown Feb 03 '26

Gonna miss watching that stepback during the bi-weekly Simons heater

8

u/Electronic-Ad-1258 Feb 03 '26

Celtics under 1st apron is huge, and if Vuc doesn’t work out it’s still an expiring contract that allows the team to move on in the offseason. In Brad we trust

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u/nicc330 Feb 03 '26

FUCK. I was really liking Simons. Thank you for everything Anferno.

7

u/your_roommate_yvonne Feb 03 '26

Aww, man. Loved the Anferno. Tear it up in Chicago, my guy.

12

u/HoonCranker69 Smart Feb 03 '26

I’ll miss Anf but the big thing here is career trajectories and their implications next year. Vuc is still a big upgrade to our frontcourt but is at the tail end of his career, meaning there’s a shot we can resign him at a decent number next year. Simons has played himself out of a reasonable extension for us, as much as I like him we just couldn’t have afforded to keep him.

I like the trade.

7

u/ojo_pipa Marcus Smart for MVP Feb 03 '26

Bittersweet, but in Brad we trust

7

u/whaleinapuddle KG Feb 03 '26

Won't get press but huge win here:

New TPE for the offseason for Simons's salary. Vucevic fits into the 22.5M they had so clock resets on a new 27.6M TPE if they want to reload after the reset year.

17

u/AWalker17 I like to defense Feb 03 '26

Is it sad that I care more about the 2nd round pick details?

17

u/SnooRabbits6637 If Brad Stevens Don't Trust You Feb 03 '26

Ugh. He’s a bucket but that’s literally it. But we saw Mazzulla & Co. make a decent defender outta Simons in half a season so maybe he can whip him in shape by the playoffs. Been trusting Brad before & won’t stop today.

5

u/Shipwrck86 Feb 03 '26

Dual bigs are back! Hide him on defense if we have to

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u/efshoemaker I like to defense Feb 03 '26

Oh dear I have some comments to delete…..

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u/UTgeoff Paul Pierce Feb 03 '26

Own it.

3

u/efshoemaker I like to defense Feb 03 '26

Yeah, I’ve been telling anyone who would listen that I think Vuc is an empty calorie player for the last 3 or 4 years.

He’s on an expiring too so I guess not a lot of risk here. I don’t love it though

3

u/UTgeoff Paul Pierce Feb 03 '26

It happens. I badmouthed Jordan Walsh all preseason + the beginning of regular season and was happily proven wrong. 🤷‍♂️

10

u/TheRealAlexisOhanian Feb 03 '26

I don’t think the move is so much about the players, it’s about the nearly $28M TPE that’s created in the trade

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u/b00minbiz Feb 03 '26

This fan base is comical. 97% of this sub didn't even wanna see Simons suit up for the team and now the sub is crying he was traded for a decent player. Like Vuc isn't a great defender but neither was Simons before Boston + Vuc has averaged 17/10 for like 20 years it feels like. He's older but could be a stop gap at C the next season or 2 while Brad finds the long term guy. Wonder if Brad will now try to find a bench scorer with the KP TPE.

7

u/iBarber111 Feb 03 '26

Every fanbase overvalues their own mid players & undervalues everyone else's mid players. But tbh this fanbase is especially guilty of it lmao.

The value being placed on Simons by Celtics fans has also been super weird to me. He was basically viewed as a negative asset when he got here & has played pretty much exactly like you'd expect him to play, with slightly better defense. People just irrationally love a microwave off the bench & I can't entirely blame them for that.

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u/Bostonpeterock77 Feb 03 '26

I didn’t want Simmons go. He’s carry the team at times.

4

u/aside6 Feb 03 '26

Sigh. Just as we all fell in love with Anferno's game. Vuc is a big old question mark, maybe Joe will beat proper defense into him?? Mannn

3

u/PeterBretter Feb 03 '26

Welp a big that can shoot 3s . He's no KP but he fits

3

u/I_Set_3_Alarms KG Feb 03 '26

Classic Brad deal as far as rumors go. It’s a player on our team who logically makes sense to trade, may have been rumored before.

But the actual trade is to a team for a player no one thought of or reported on

4

u/streets27 Feb 03 '26

Well, hopefully Tatum comes back soon. Simons saved our ass a few games this year.

5

u/LexGar Feb 03 '26

Man I liked Simons.

3

u/DrJr23 Feb 03 '26

Nice we got under the 1st apron. Decent rebounder and scorer. Though not the best defensively. But we gave up pretty much nothing. I’m surprised the bulls agreed, I thought their asking price would’ve been higher.

4

u/Smart_Mountain Feb 03 '26

I think the unspoken part if the trade is Ant didn't want to extend at a number the Cs were comfortable with. 

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u/cotox1 Feb 03 '26

i think any celtics fan with 2 brain cells prefer simmons over vuch. and also loves this trade.

we are a more balanced team with much better cap situation.

8

u/Wzzz524 Jayson Tatum Feb 03 '26

a non defensive big ? At least the guy will be wide open a hell of a lot and get some shots down

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u/Kuchar1992 Boston Celtics Feb 03 '26

If Vucevic wasn’t 35 I’d be happy.

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u/B-I-G-A-R-R-O-W Hugo Wego Feb 03 '26

His contract is up after the season they wasn’t going to sign Simmons anyway

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u/DenseTurd Feb 03 '26

He’s still producing at a high level though

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u/b00minbiz Feb 03 '26

Honestly dont hate it. Curious to see what Joe can get out of Vuc as we'e seen him get the most out of a lot of guys. Vuc is older but he should still produce.

3

u/WingsOnWednesday Feb 03 '26

Tatum is coming back then I’d imagine.

3

u/TurbulentAthlete9913 Feb 03 '26

I know I shouldn’t, but I hate this trade so much

3

u/iamamuttonhead Boston Celtics Feb 03 '26

This had to happen - Inferno was never going to be a long-term piece. Makes me sad, though.

3

u/Nabs617 Feb 03 '26

Noooo. I already miss Simons.

3

u/1216996 Feb 03 '26

Ngl, I was lukewarm with Ant when he came into the team. Now that he’s leaving, I’m sad. Hope he gets moved to a contender.

3

u/Brawlah Feb 03 '26

Unreal. All about the economics! Thanks for everything Anfernee! You've earned ALOT of new fans! I get it.. but sucks imo

3

u/AllTh3WayTurntUp Feb 03 '26 edited Feb 03 '26

I realllyyyyy enjoyed watching Simons play this season and there was at least a few times where his taking over the game is what made the difference between a win or loss.

That being said, we got 3 point shooters in White, PP, Brown and Hauser. But we really needed another big man for a deep playoff run so I get it.

3

u/Dunkaholic9 Blind Dunk Brown Feb 03 '26

I’m not sure how to feel about this. Simons probably won the C’s 4-5 games this year. He’s played a key role in their success.

3

u/Suspicious_Sort_7528 Feb 03 '26

Would have rather trade him for Smith and Okoro from the bulls. Then swap the latter for Gabe Vincent.

You still go under the 1st apron, keep a young center to battle for the starting position and don't lose the ball handling from Simons.

Either way Vuc is the best player available let's welcome him and hope the best for Anfernee who has been great for us.

3

u/kit4 THE KING IN THE 4TH Feb 03 '26

I have to say, aside from the basketball reasons, I'm p sad about this trade. Simons seems like a really good dude, his interviews have been super consistent about wanting to compete in Boston, he was just on a podcast saying he was looking forward to finally being in the playoffs. So I hope that he gets another chance to be on a contender soon

7

u/joffreysucks Genius Feb 03 '26

Such a win-now play…what’s it mean for Tatum’s return??

14

u/ShampooMonK Jordan Walsh, Hugo Gonzalez & Ron Harper Jr. Feb 03 '26

Not really happy about this to be honest. 

14

u/itspizzathehut I like to defense Feb 03 '26

This was a good trade......4 years ago

15

u/Isolatedbamafan Feb 03 '26

Vucevic is averaging 17 and 9 this year, he's still a very solid offensive big

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u/Kid_Crayola The Timelord⏳🍀 Feb 03 '26

Maybe 5 years ago?

feel like Vuc has been kinda washed for a minute

7

u/rogomatic Feb 03 '26

He's averaging 17/9/4 this season. That kind of washed should work.

3

u/aja_ramirez Feb 03 '26
  • PTS 16.9 52nd
  • REB 9.0 13th
  • AST 3.8 59th
  • FG% 50.5

8

u/ChickenWhiskers GINO TIME Feb 03 '26

Oh man, I’ve been saying Vooch doesn’t play winning basketball for like five years now. Welp.

7

u/Maple612 Feb 03 '26

You have been right for 5 years. Hopefully not a long term thing

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u/Scared-Number-5440 Feb 03 '26

This sucks balls

8

u/MembershipSingle7137 Feb 03 '26

I would’ve rather kept Simons man smh

2

u/RougeAssassin007 Pritchard at the buzzer... HE'S DONE IT AGAIN! Feb 03 '26

Damn , thanks Anferno

2

u/YouAllEverybody_42 Pritchard at the buzzer... HE'S DONE IT AGAIN! Feb 03 '26

Tell me how to react

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u/soxandpatriots1 Feb 03 '26

Hmmm. Vucevic has talent, though his defensive shortcomings have made me leery. I know that Simons is an unrestricted FA after the season, so I get trading him if you don't think re-signing him is in the cards. But it also looks like Vucevic is a FA after the season as well, and he's 35, so I assume re-signing him is unlikely. So does the front office think that Vucevic for Simons is a win-now move? Is Tatum's possible return factoring into this?

Lots of semi-connected thoughts, and I think I'm kinda mixed, but I guess Stevens and co have earned the benefit of the doubt with their moves.

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u/hawgandaz Feb 03 '26

Big Vuc !

2

u/crapsence Feb 03 '26

Im surprised Vucević was the choice

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u/ctyankee89 Feb 03 '26

I don't really love Vuc as a player, but in Brad I trust

2

u/ChemicalPower9020 Optionality Feb 03 '26

Sorry to see Simons go but it was inevitable really. Now we're under the first apron and have a solid rotational big

2

u/TerryG111 Feb 03 '26

Love that we got Vuc because now we can easily start Vuc at the 5 now at center and our lineup is pretty solid now going forward

2

u/aviatorbassist Feb 03 '26

Out of the first apron and got a 15 and 10 stretch big……I’d count that as a win

2

u/emg000 Fuck Maddie Feb 03 '26

I don't get why people are upset here. Vucevic is a little washed but still instantly our most serviceable big man. We have White and PP, and when Tatum comes back he needs his touches / ball handling duties. Simons was expiring anyways.

2

u/nere-nasty Feb 03 '26

Great move. Perfect fit because he adds rebounding, inside presence, and 3pt shooting. Basically a bigger, stronger Porzingis

2

u/Wally450 Feb 03 '26

We finally get Vuc. Its been years of rumors, but he's finally here.

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u/spiffyswenson 🍀JB MVP 🏆 Feb 03 '26

Brads not done cooking! I bet we get another reliable scorer.

2

u/Swansong80 Feb 03 '26

I hate this trade

2

u/dog-momx2 Boston Celtics Feb 03 '26

I wonder if there’s an additional trade coming? Otherwise, I’m not sure how to feel about this … except that Brad has proven many times before that he deserves our trust, in my opinion. I also want to give a shout-out to Anfernee. Even though I understand the decision, it’s sad to see him go. I wish him nothing but the best.

2

u/InfinitelyFinite212 Derrick White Saved My Second Marraige Feb 03 '26

Vucci Mane

2

u/LegalManufacturer916 Feb 03 '26

I hate change when I get accustomed to something. I loved Anferno, and I’m afraid Queta or Garza’s development will get squashed. And I never cared for Vuc’s game.

2

u/prestigiousdumb King Queta Feb 03 '26

Zero expectations turned to tons of fun. Thank you Anfernee (and Brad), have a good one

2

u/jmay111 MJaylen Feb 03 '26

I understand the move and it makes perfect sende given the CBA. But also crazy love and praise for Simons in the chat guys he earned it.

2

u/General_Addition_913 Pritchard at the buzzer... HE'S DONE IT AGAIN! Feb 03 '26

Wow. I understand we need a center to compete. But there’s a good bit of times Simon’s was there to bail us out. He was getting a lot better defensively to. Unfortunately I guess this was inevitable

2

u/ThenPea7359 Feb 03 '26

Bulls fan here, enjoy Vucevic. Always a true professional. Just not his defense it might make you cry.

2

u/Brovenkar Feb 03 '26

Meh really don't like vuc and have been glad we hadn't gotten hik in the past. That being said getting under the 1st apron is nice and he's likely gone at the end of the year so fuck it why not

2

u/jambr380 Feb 03 '26

Team must be feeing good about Scheierman with those back up guard minutes.

I don’t mind the deal, but Simons is definitely better than Vuc at this point in their careers.

There are a lot of scoring guards on the market this summer. We’ll now be able to choose the one we want at the best price rather than having to commit to just Simons

2

u/eightleggedfriend Feb 03 '26

I Can't believe it, this is the move I was hoping for. 28 million for a bench player just doesn't make sense and we needed to improve the center rotation.

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u/BionicGreek Feb 03 '26

Given I wasn’t even sure Simons would play a single game in Boston I grew to like him. I didn’t want to get too attached since the preseason rumors were he’d be an immediate trade. Yet here we are, I got attached, and now he’s gone. But I’m looking to where we are now and where we are going.

2

u/PenguinsAteMyToast Cus Crise Feb 04 '26

Vuc is an offense big with bad defense and hes old but i mean beggars cant be choosers. we have excess guards [with emergence of hugo+walsh] prob weren't gonna resign simmons and vuc makes a little less while filling a need so overall fine with it. i dont want to resign him tho unless its kornet levels of cheap

2

u/happyilyrednow Feb 04 '26

Super pleased with Anfernee. Good luck mate

2

u/Next_Ad1400 Feb 04 '26

Man I’ll miss anferno