The Boston Celtics acquiring Nikola Vucevic appeared to be one of the big swings of the NBA trade deadline. A few weeks later, Vucevic has been... Fine. And that's probably what every Celtics fan should have expected, although I do understand the inclination to think every trade addition will be a game-changer.
Through five games, Vooch is averaging 11.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, a perfectly fine statline for a 35 year-old center. He's shooting well from 3-point range (42.9%) and while the defense isn't great, his offensive prowess provides a nice complement to Neemias Queta, the team's other center.
By himself, Vucevic isn't the high-volume offensive hub he was five or six years ago, but luckily the Celtics don't need him to be. Most of the season, the Celtics trading for a center seemed obvious, but the closer we moved to the deadline, the less of a given it became. In other words, Neemias Queta developing into a reliable center makes any production from Vucevic feel like house money.
Neemias Queta has proven to be a crucial piece for the Celtics
This is a big part of why Vucevic being "just" okay doesn't feel detrimental to the C's — because Queta has been consistently providing the energy and defensive production that Vooch doesn't bring, making for a pretty solid 1-2 punch at the five spot.
In the words of the honorable Bill Simmons, Queta has been exactly who the Lakers hoped Deandre Ayton would be. Catching lobs, bringing energy, protecting the rim. Having a center who can then come in and hit some 3-pointers is a modern basketball fan's dream.
So, no, Vucevic isn't lighting up the box score in Boston, but he's filling the role the team needed him to, and that's the most important takeaway here.
If Jayson Tatum comes back this season, all of a sudden the depth of this team becomes a strength after appearing like it would be the team's downfall before the year. In that case, then suddenly having two playable centers could be the difference-maker in crucial playoff games. Even if he doesn't, though, trading for Vucevic was a worthwhile swing from the front office — even if it ends up being more of a solid contact single than a home run.