Nikola Vučević, who is 35, wanted to join a contender, and the Boston Celtics granted that wish when they traded for him before the deadline. He thought that he'd have a chance to win a title with the Bulls when the Magic traded him to Chicago in 2021, but we all know how that went.
The center went from playing for a team that would have to fight for a playoff spot in the play-in tournament to one that is the No. 2 seed in the East.
On Wednesday, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported that Boston's trade for Vučević was "a clear indicator" (subscription required) that the team believes Jayson Tatum will return this season. He did participate in parts of practice with the Maine Celtics on Monday, but he said that didn't mean he would play again this season. He's not ready to commit to that yet, at least not publicly.
Even if he doesn't return, Vučević can help the Celtics make a deep playoff run, but if Tatum does play this season, the center could win his first title.
Nikola Vučević gets to help Celtics compete for a championship
Vučević is averaging 13.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game in his first three contests with Boston, shooting 48.5% from the field and 41.7% from three.
On Wednesday, he had 19 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and one steal in a 124-105 rout over his former team. He shot four of five from deep. It was a good note to end on entering the All-Star break after what was a whirlwind past week for Vučević.
He knew there was a good chance a trade could happen, but he didn't expect it to be to the Celtics. It was a pleasant surprise for him. Vučević went from being part of a never-ending cycle of mediocrity (at best) to suiting up for one of the best, if not the best, organizations in the league.
Vučević and the Celtics can certainly make it further than the first round, which is where the Bulls' season ended in 2022, the only time they made it to the playoffs with the big man.
This was supposed to be a "down year" for Boston, but Joe Mazzulla and Co. didn't get that memo, and it's a good thing they didn't. It's certainly a good thing for Vučević, too, who wanted to contribute to winning basketball. He ended up in the right place.