The Boston Celtics won’t bring back (subscription required) Nikola Vucevic, according to Marc Stein. Boston traded for Vooch at the deadline to save money. The former All-Star never quite panned out with the Celtics, including being benched in the Game 7 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs. The 35-year-old isn’t suddenly improving. It didn’t work in Boston, and the Celtics plan to quickly move on.
Stein noted that Vucevic is “increasingly regarded as a certainty to switch teams this summer”. Head coach Joe Mazzulla wants a floor spacing big man, and may struggle to find a better option. Still, this was an easy decision.
The Celtics want to compete for championships. Getting a stretch five was a plus, but Boston made the trade to save money and give Vucevic a shot to prove himself on a contender. When he failed his audition, it was time to move on.
Celtics plan to move on from Nikola Vucevic
Boston traded Anfernee Simons and a 2027 second-round draft pick for Vucevic and a 2026 second-round pick. A broken finger limited the 6’9 big man to just 16 regular-season games with the Celtics. He averaged 9.7 points and 6.6 rebounds, but just never found his footing. The Celtics got an unexpected asset out of this deal, which could still add some value.
Vucevic averaged 6.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 19.2 minutes per game during the playoffs. He shot just 37.8 percent from the field and made seven of his 24 3-point attempts. Jayson Tatum was injured for Game 7 against the 76ers. Boston needed offense, and Joe Mazzulla still never put Vooch into the game.
The 35-year-old’s defense has been declining for years. His scoring, floor spacing, and rebounding have kept him on the floor. Even those aspects were nonexistent for Boston in the playoffs. With the season on the line, Mazzulla had no choice but to bench him.
The Celtics plan to upgrade their roster this summer after a stunning first-round playoff exit. Brad Stevens is already working the phones and exploring avenues. Boston has team options on six players to sort out, but limited financial flexibility. Things get even more cramped if the Celtics want to avoid the tax again in 2027. There was just no room to pay Vucevic and upgrade their roster.
The Boston Celtics have already decided to move on from Nikola Vucevic, according to vetearn NBA insider Marc Sein. It was an easy decision. The big man has been declining for years. If his scoring and floor spacing aren’t there, Vooch creates headaches on both ends of the floor.
Expect center upgrades to be a focus for Brad Steven this offseason. The Boston Celtics can’t rely solely on Neemias Queta and Luka Garza to fill the 48 minutes. They need more defense at the five. Vucevic wasn’t offering that, which is just another reason he is already out the door. Sadly, fans won’t miss him. The two-time All-Star will be some other team’s problem next season.
Add us as a preferred source on Google