The Boston Celtics are reshaping the frontcourt, adding Nikola Vucevic in a major trade with the Chicago Bulls that sends Anfernee Simons the other way. The move comes as Boston chase another Atlantic
Division title while trying to close ground on the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons.
Boston hold a 31-18 record and have already secured the past four Atlantic Division crowns. The team entered games on 3 February 2026 tied with the New York Knicks for first in the division, while sitting 5.5 games behind the Pistons in the overall Eastern Conference standings.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Celtics are acquiring Vucevic and a second-round pick from Chicago, with Simons and a second-round pick heading to the Bulls. The agreement gives Boston another experienced centre, while Chicago gain a scoring guard and maintain draft flexibility.
BREAKING: The Chicago Bulls are trading center Nikola Vucevic and a second-round pick to the Boston Celtics for Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/aScaobfZmvShams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 3, 2026
Vucevic, aged 35, is in the 15th NBA season and averages 16.9 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists across 48 games. Vucevic is shooting 50.5 per cent from the field and 37.6 per cent from three-pointers, giving Boston a floor-spacing big to support Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.
The centre joined Chicago in March 2021 after a move from the Orlando Magic and has been a regular starter since. Simons, who now heads to the Bulls, played 49 games for Boston this season, all as a reserve, averaging 14.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists while hitting 39.5 per cent from beyond the arc.
Chicago Bulls perspective on Nikola Vucevic trade with Boston Celtics
The Bulls, now 24-26, sit ninth in the Eastern Conference. Chicago trail the eighth-place Orlando Magic by two games and are half a game ahead of the Atlanta Hawks in 10th. Moving Vucevic continues a busy 3 February 2026, as Chicago adjust the roster around the current core.
Earlier the same day, the Bulls sent Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric to the Detroit Pistons in another trade that brought back Jaden Ivey, while also adding Mike Conley Jr. from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Those deals, combined with the Vucevic move, reshape Chicago’s rotation as the team chase improved playoff positioning.
