Celtics Trade Anfernee Simons to Bulls for Nikola Vucevic

Merlin sees Boston sending Anfernee Simons to Chicago for Nikola Vučević and a 2027 second rounder, trimming $6.2 million in salary and shaving more than $20 million off the Celtics' luxury tax bill. The move drops Boston below the first apron and creates room to sign a buyout or a player above the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. The Celtics gain a veteran stretch five who helps on the defensive glass where they rank poorly, but they lose Simons' shooting. As the article notes, "A lot is on the shoulders of Derrick White and Payton Pritchard now." Chicago keeps hoarding guards and picks, while Boston looks like it may tinker more before the season settles.