{"id":175317,"date":"2026-01-31T10:18:34","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T15:18:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=175317"},"modified":"2026-01-31T10:27:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T15:27:09","slug":"celtics-to-use-forgotten-trade-asset-to-add-njkola-vucevic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/01\/31\/celtics-to-use-forgotten-trade-asset-to-add-njkola-vucevic\/","title":{"rendered":"Celtics To Use Trade Asset To Add Double-Double Behemoth?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Boston Celtics<\/a> 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<\/a> in a low-risk, high-reward trade.<\/p>\n

Celtics To Use Forgotten Trade Asset To Add Double-Double Behemoth?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Unexpected Success, Familiar Needs<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"The
Feb 5, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) shoots the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not many envisaged that the Celtics would perform this well after a busy offseason. About four key players left Boston. Jayson Tatum<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

Why Vucevic Fits the Celtics\u2019 Exception<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Chicago has shopped Vucevic\u2019s 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.<\/a><\/p>\n

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The Chicago Bulls reportedly offered Nikola Vu\u010devi\u0107 to the Celtics for Anfernee Simons and a first-round pick, but Boston declined, per @MikeAScotto<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u201cFor example, earlier this season, well before Boston surged into second place in the East, the Chicago Bulls inquired on the\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/lWvauNv0F7<\/a><\/p>\n

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 28, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n