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DALLAS — The Celtics have traded Anfernee Simons and a second-round choose to the Chicago Bulls in trade for Nikola Vucevic, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Tuesday.
Vucevic, who’s 35 years previous, has averaged 16.9 factors, 9 rebounds, and three.8 assists per recreation this season. He’s shot 50.5% from the sphere and 37.6% from three, and has been one of many league’s premier stretch bigs.
Vucevic has been a starter within the NBA since his rookie season in 2011-2022. He was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers, spent 9 years with the Orlando Magic, and has performed for the Bulls since 2021.
The transfer provides Boston extra heart depth alongside Neemias Queta and Luka Garza. The Celtics haven’t utilized Xavier Tillman nor Chris Boucher within the frontcourt, and have nearly completely relied on Queta, Garza, and small-ball lineups.
Each Queta (10.1 factors, 8.1 rebounds) and Garza (7.7 factors, 4.3 rebounds) are having profession years, nevertheless it has lengthy been understood that the Celtics will want extra frontcourt depth transferring ahead.
Whether or not Vucevic is a long-term answer right here stays to be seen; the Montenegrin basketball participant is on an expiring deal, however may probably prolong with the Celtics transferring ahead.
Anfernee Simons leaves the Celtics after an excellent stint
Anfernee Simons departs the Celtics after being acquired this previous summer season within the commerce that despatched Jrue Vacation to the Portland Path Blazers. Simons averaged 14.2 factors and a couple of.4 assists per recreation this season, taking pictures 44% from the sphere and 39.5% from three.
All through his temporary tenure, Simons earned the reward of his teammates and coaches, who typically heralded him for his enchancment on the defensive finish. In December, he held the most effective plus-minus in all the NBA, and in January, he recorded his finest recreation in inexperienced, exploding for 39 factors in a comeback win in opposition to the Miami Warmth.
The transfer has constructive monetary implications for Boston, getting the Celtics underneath the primary apron for the primary time within the Joe Mazzulla period. The Celtics offload Simons’ $27.7 million expiring contract to the Bulls, whereas taking up Vucevic’s $21.5 million expiring contract.
The Celtics at the moment are $6 million from being underneath the posh tax altogether.
This story can be up to date as extra info is obtainable.
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