The Chicago Bulls are struggling to find a new home for Nikola Vucevic on the trade market, and it’s gotten to the point where the Boston Celtics may be their final hope. An Anfernee Simons trade could help the Celtics address their center position and shed salary, while the Bulls would get some value back in return for Vucevic.
Obviously, Chicago adding Simons to their roster would be very repetitive, as they already have a ton of guard depth. But at this point, getting anything back in return for Vucevic should be the goal, as he clearly doesn’t have a lot of suitors around the league.
And anything is better than waiving him.
How bad is the Nikola Vucevic situation?
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line noted that it’s seeming more and more likely that the Bulls will have to buy Vucevic out by the deadline rather than ship him out on the trade market.
However, Marc Stein, who writes for the same outlet, insists that there is a market for the Bulls big man. "I'm not buying the notion that there is no market for Vooch,” Stein said.
Regardless, the fact that the trade saga has gotten to the point where it’s even a debate whether or not the Bulls will find a landing spot is a pretty good indicator of his value around the league.
The Golden State Warriors seem destined to sign Al Horford. he Miami Heat just made their big swing for Norman Powell. The Houston Rockets signed big man in free agency. Most teams around the league already have their center rotation set heading into next year.
The Celtics don’t.
As it stands, Boston’s center rotation for next year is going to be Neemias Queta as the starter, Luka Garza as the backup, and rookie Amari Williams as the third string, likely on a two-way contract.
Finding a way to swap Vucevic and other small assets for Simons could satisfy all parties involved, particularly if the deal gets completed in a way where the Celtics can shed salary.
Boston would be able to dip further below the second apron by trading Simons, all while also adding a stopgap starting center for next season.
Meanwhile, the Bulls would get a solid player for Vucevic. They already have Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and likely Josh Giddey, but at this point, getting anything back for Vucevic could be a win.
And perhaps the Bulls would have an easier time either flipping Simons or extending him at the end of the season than they are having trying to trade Vucevic.
At the very least, adding Simons could open up a pathway for the Bulls to trade White or Dosunmu (perhaps in a deal for Jonathan Kuminga).