The Boston Celtics are surprisingly second in the Eastern Conference. They are looking to take advantage of it. The Celtics have trade exceptions they can use to add Nikola Vucevic in a low-risk, high-reward trade.
Celtics To Use Forgotten Trade Asset To Add Double-Double Behemoth?
Unexpected Success, Familiar Needs
Not many envisaged that the Celtics would perform this well after a busy offseason. About four key players left Boston. Jayson Tatum also remains out as he recovers from surgery on his ruptured Achilles. Yet, head coach Joe Mazzulla has relied on team identity rather than star power to generate success. Boston is third in the Eastern conference with a 30-18 record. Still, president of basketball operations Brad Stevens is on the lookout for frontcourt help.
Why Vucevic Fits the Celtics’ Exception
Chicago has shopped Vucevic’s contract but has not seen takers. His $21.6 million expiring deal is a tough pill for teams to swallow in this apron world. Acquiring him requires assets that most teams would rather use elsewhere. The Celtics hold an upper hand. They have a sizeable trade exception from a previous trade. Boston has already rebuffed an offer from Chicago when they shopped Vucevic for Anfernee Simons.
The Chicago Bulls reportedly offered Nikola Vučević to the Celtics for Anfernee Simons and a first-round pick, but Boston declined, per @MikeAScotto
“For example, earlier this season, well before Boston surged into second place in the East, the Chicago Bulls inquired on the… pic.twitter.com/lWvauNv0F7
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 28, 2026
Low Risk, High Reward Calculation
The risk for the Celtics centers on how much Brad Chisholm’s ownership group will pay for contention. Using this exception will take the team into the second apron. It would also cement them as contenders. Vucevic is a poor defender. However, he is also a strong rebounder and a double-double threat. The Celtics would add a big who averages 17 points and 10 rebounds for his career. He has shot 36 percent from three since the bubble.
This move carries minimal risk for the Celtics because Nikola Vucevic’s contract expires after this season. The Celtics would sit well below the second apron next year. That remains true even if they re-sign impending free agent Simons. The Celtics are also likely to avoid the luxury tax next season. This contract would have zero long-term impact on their books.
What the deal will look like
Celtics receive: Nikola Vucevic
Bulls receive: Luka Garza, Xavier Tillman, $21 Trade Exception, two second-rounders
© David Butler II-Imagn Images
