Celtics Trade Simons To Bulls For Nikola Vucevic

Merlin sees Boston sending Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick to the Chicago Bulls for veteran center Nikola Vučević, per Shams Charania. Simons has averaged 14.2 points and 2.4 assists off the Celtics’ bench, while Vučević brings 16.9 points and nine rebounds and a floor-stretching touch to a team chasing the Eastern Conference. Boston had earlier picked up Simons in the Jrue Holiday trade but had been shopping him for "roster flexibility," so the swap immediately fills a clear need at center. Merlin senses this calms Boston’s lineup creaks. Vučević will not anchor the defense, but his rebounding and shooting should smooth Boston’s rotations. Chicago gains a high-upside scorer who may start or slide alongside Jaden Ivey, especially if Coby White moves on. Simons still must tighten his defense and make the leap from scorer to star.