Nikola Vucevic’s two plus months as a member of the Boston Celtics didn’t quite go as either side would’ve liked.
When the Cs traded Anfernee Simons to land Vucevic at the trade deadline, there was optimism that they’d found the right piece to solidify their weak, yet overachieving frontcourt, and that maybe he’d return on a team-friendly contract once his current deal expires in July.
Neither seems to be in the cards. After NBA Insider Marc Stein reported last week that Vucevic’s time in Boston is all but over, the former All-Star has revealed his mindset heading into free agency.
“I plan to be in the NBA, to stay there until the end of my career. I expect there will be an offer, that something will open up,” he explained to Montenegrin outlet Vijesti on Monday. “I plan to stay.”
Vucevic’s goal is to remain in the NBA, but not specifically with the Celtics. At this point, it sounds like he’d just be happy to have a contract with any of the 29 other franchises. It makes sense, right?
Vucevic's stint with the Celtics didn't work the way he'd have hoped
The veteran big man never gelled with Boston’s core the way the front office had envisioned. He missed a month of action after breaking his right ring finger, missed valuable chemistry-building opportunities, and wound up watching the team’s Game 7 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers from the bench.
Vucevic was never asked to speak with the media following Boston’s premature playoff exit, either.
In other words, the writing has been on the wall. Vucevic averaged just 9.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game across 16 regular-season appearances for the Cs. He struggled to put the ball in the basket, too, sinking just 43.9% of his attempts from the field and 34.0% of those from deep.
"There were good and bad moments in Boston," he explained. "I think the finger injury, which took me out for a month, had a big impact. The timing of the injury itself had a big impact - right before the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs. Then I couldn't find the right rhythm, fit in with my teammates, and find my way in my new role."
It’s tough to blame him for wanting to see what other opportunities are out there, after he so obviously didn’t fit into what Boston was trying to do.
“When free agency starts, I’ll wait to see what offers I get, which clubs will be interested, and then I’ll decide what to do next.”
Though all signs point to him playing elsewhere come October, Vucevic did seem to refute Stein’s reporting.
“I don’t have much information for now, what’s being mentioned in the media is, for some reason, speculation,” he said.
Maybe he wasn’t talking about Stein, but that’s the only noise we’ve heard on his future. It’s probably nothing, but it’s an interesting tidbit from a rather open discussion about what’s in store for him.
Add us as a preferred source on Google