The Boston Celtics trade for Nikola Vucevic has turned into a straight L after Marc Stein reported the big man won’t return next season. Boston made the trade to save money and get a stretch five for the playoff push. It didn’t work out. Vooch was benched in Game 7 of Boston's first-round playoff loss to the 76ers as he struggled to defend and make shots. If that wasn’t bad enough, letting him walk in free agency makes this trade a total bust.
Anfernee Simons averaged 14.2 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.4 rebounds for the Celtics. He shot 39.5 percent from 3-point range and was giving Boston a needed ball-handler, shot maker, and creator off the bench. Simons was in the running for Sixth Man of the Year, but the Celtics moved on to dodge the luxury tax.
Boston tore down the title team last summer. They weren’t going to let that be for no reason. Brad Stevens knew he had to get under the luxury tax line. It cost the Celtics Simons and the 38th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft for Vucevic and a 2027 second-rounder. The deal was viewed as a slight win for Boston, but that has quickly flipped to the Bulls' side.
Celtics officially lost the Nikola Vucevic trade
Vooch averaged 9.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 21.1 minutes per game for Boston. They wanted him to be a stretch five, but he shot just 34.0 percent from 3-point range over 16 regular-season games and was seven of 24 in the playoffs. The Celtics underestimated his defensive issues and ended up benching him completely with their season on the line.
Vucevic’s time with the Celtics is over. Boston’s shooting, playmaking, and overall impact got worse in this trade. They also parted with the 38th pick and didn’t even get a draft pick in return, as it was flipped to Utah to dump Chris Boucher’s contract. Another bit of cost savings for Boston.
The Celtics wanted Vooch, and it didn’t work. Brad Steven has proven to be an outstanding executive. Fans should trust him if he decides to trade Jaylen Brown this summer, but Boston lost the Vucevic trade.
A hand injury impacted the big man’s production. Vooch missed 14 games before returning in early April. The injury and quick recovery likely played a factor in his shooting struggles, but the reasons don’t matter. Vucevic is walking in free agency.
The only way Boston can salvage any dignity in this trade is by using the trade exception to get some value. That is easier said than done in the second apron era, but the Celtics will be exploring the market.
The Boston Celtics lost the Nikola Vucevic trade after it was reported that he would depart in free agency. The big man hurt the franchise more than he helped, and fans can’t be shocked. Chicago tried to trade him for years. Vooch was clearly declining, and his ability to shoot wasn’t enough to outweigh his defense. Brad Stevens has to take the loss and move on.
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