Celtics connected to two-time All-Star, 18.5 PPG trade candidate

Celtics connected to two-time All-Star, 18.5 PPG trade candidate originally appeared on The Sporting News

The Boston Celtics are still in need of a starting center for the 2025-26 campaign. While they could rely on their current frontcourt options, two-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic could be a viable alternative. 

The Celtics recently signed Chris Boucher to a one-year, $3.3 million deal after trading recent acquisition Georges Niang. With Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet both out of the picture, and Al Horford expected to depart in free agency, Boston still has room for improvement at the five. 

Brandon Austin of Pro Football & Sports Network identified Vucevic as a trade candidate this season, listing the Celtics as a potential destination. 

“Nikola Vucevic's status as a trade candidate for the Chicago Bulls stems from the team's ongoing roster overhaul and his expiring contract,” he wrote. “The Bulls have been stuck in play-in territory and are looking to bolster their rebuild.” 

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The veteran big man has been involved in trade speculation for some time, and his expiring contract makes it a priority for Chicago to explore its options. As for the Celtics, they landed Anfernee Simons in exchange for Jrue Holiday, though the 26-year-old guard is also on an expiring contract. 

A straight-up trade sending Simons to Chicago for Vucevic would also save Boston nearly $6.2 million this season. The Celtics could choose to roll with Boucher, Neemias Queta, Luka Garza and Xavier Tillman as their options at center, but Vucevic remains a far superior alternative. 

The veteran center spaces the floor well for a big man and continues to be a nightly double-double threat. He averaged 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting a career-high 40.2 percent from beyond the arc in 73 regular-season appearances in the 2024-25 campaign.

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