Shams: Vuc to Celtics!

[jpotter33]

https://x.com/mikeascotto/status/2018795670707339730?s=46

The Celtics previously proposed Anfernee Simons, a first-round pick, and a future first-round pick swap for Clippers center Ivica Zubac and salary filler, which the Clippers declined, sources said. Boston also inquired on Jaren Jackson Jr. Instead, Boston lands Nikola Vucevic.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

https://x.com/mikeascotto/status/2018795670707339730?s=46

The Celtics previously proposed Anfernee Simons, a first-round pick, and a future first-round pick swap for Clippers center Ivica Zubac and salary filler, which the Clippers declined, sources said. Boston also inquired on Jaren Jackson Jr. Instead, Boston lands Nikola Vucevic.

Yeah I think this trade happened after JJJ was traded for a reason. Stevens was probably waiting to see if Memphis would take Boston's offer.

Maybe the Grizzles were holding out for a 3rd 1st round pick, and when Utah finally offered it, they made the deal.

[paintitgreen]

It is a money move, pure and simple. If not having Simons, who has been among the worst defensive players in basketball for several years, is the difference between winning and not winning a banner, I would be shocked. (I would be equally shocked if haunt Vuc even if just as an extra playable big man made that difference.) I grew to like him and would have been fine if they kept him this summer on a deal more commensurate with his value, but he is also fairly duplicative of Pritchard and his PT stands to be squeezed more when Tatum returns, this year or next. Neither brings multiple assets to the team, but at least Vuc fits more in a potential position of a need on a team with 7 and maybe soon 8 rotation perimeter players and 2 rotation bigs both of whom are essentially on minimum contracts.

But financially, it puts the team below the first apron, and saves about $21 million in luxury taxes, without impacting next season. The taxes are not my dollars so it is easy not to care but the hope would be that money saved in one year creates opportunities to spend it in a future year when they have fewer question marks on their ability to contend for a title.

[Celtics2021]

https://x.com/bobbymarks42/status/2018789487166497024?s=46

Boston tax bill drops from $39.5M to $17M

They get out of the first apron

More importantly, they are eligible to sign a player waived that had a pre-existing salary of $14.1M plus

Any potential candidates out there?

KP if he?s traded.  Khris Middleton.  Nurkic but now we don?t have the same playing time for him.

Also Simons if his trade consummates and he is moved again in the next two days to someone who buys him out.

[smicker16]

Yeah I think they had to settle for this option, which I am fine with as opposed to sending out too much for Zubac and I do not think we had a way to get JJJ personally.  I do not think we were not going to resign Simons and I do think when Tatum comes back (this year or next) that Simons would not be as valuable. I also have concerns about Simons being as effective offensively in the playoffs.

Vooch can be fine and basically be an upgraded Garza.  I would still prefer to start Queta so Vooch can bring some offense off the bench and not get picked on as much by other starters. 

My feeling is that this does mean Tatum will be back this season but even if Simons for Vooch is a slight negative it still feels worth it for the salary flexibility and TPE flexibility we may get from this.  This does not have me super excited but it is about what was realistic to expect.

[Goldstar88]

Yeah I think they had to settle for this option, which I am fine with as opposed to sending out too much for Zubac and I do not think we had a way to get JJJ personally.  I do not think we were not going to resign Simons and I do think when Tatum comes back (this year or next) that Simons would not be as valuable. I also have concerns about Simons being as effective offensively in the playoffs.

Vooch can be fine and basically be an upgraded Garza.  I would still prefer to start Queta so Vooch can bring some offense off the bench and not get picked on as much by other starters. 

My feeling is that this does mean Tatum will be back this season but even if Simons for Vooch is a slight negative it still feels worth it for the salary flexibility and TPE flexibility we may get from this.  This does not have me super excited but it is about what was realistic to expect.

My thoughts as well. Otherwise, why make this move. Just roll with what you have. Assuming he does come back, Pritchard can be moved to the bench to replace what Simons was giving them.

[Birdman]

Loved to had Jaren Jackson but no way u could had paid him along with Tatum, Brown & White after this season

[Donoghus]

So looking like possibly top 5 2nd rounder to CHI

Keith Smith
@KeithSmithNBA
Picks in the Celtics-Bulls trade, per a league source:

To Boston: Denver Nuggets 2027 second-round pick

To Chicago: most favorable 2026 second-round pick of Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Portland Trailblazers (likely to be NOP)

[scaryjerry]

Yeah I think they had to settle for this option, which I am fine with as opposed to sending out too much for Zubac and I do not think we had a way to get JJJ personally.  I do not think we were not going to resign Simons and I do think when Tatum comes back (this year or next) that Simons would not be as valuable. I also have concerns about Simons being as effective offensively in the playoffs.

Vooch can be fine and basically be an upgraded Garza.  I would still prefer to start Queta so Vooch can bring some offense off the bench and not get picked on as much by other starters. 

My feeling is that this does mean Tatum will be back this season but even if Simons for Vooch is a slight negative it still feels worth it for the salary flexibility and TPE flexibility we may get from this.  This does not have me super excited but it is about what was realistic to expect.

My thoughts as well. Otherwise, why make this move. Just roll with what you have.

?to save money

[Phantom255x]

I've always liked Vucevic a lot and have wanted the C's to trade for him in the past.

Funny thing is, earlier in the season a lot of us here in the threads were thinking of a Simons for Vucevic swap with maybe 2nd round picks mixed in to save some money and because CHI had interest in Simons, and Brad actually did it at the deadline 

I will miss Simons and appreciate him even for his short time here. He definitely bought in, never complained and even showed some good signs of growth and improvement throughout.

[jpotter33]

https://x.com/bobbymarks42/status/2018789487166497024?s=46

Boston tax bill drops from $39.5M to $17M

They get out of the first apron

More importantly, they are eligible to sign a player waived that had a pre-existing salary of $14.1M plus

Any potential candidates out there?

KP if he?s traded.  Khris Middleton.  Nurkic but now we don?t have the same playing time for him.

Also Simons if his trade consummates and he is moved again in the next two days to someone who buys him out.

KP would obviously be interesting, as well as Kris. Really think a third guard/ball handler would be helpful, though. Kris can somewhat help with that, but not a perfect fit for that need.

[Roy H.]

So looking like possibly top 5 2nd rounder to CHI

Keith Smith
@KeithSmithNBA
Picks in the Celtics-Bulls trade, per a league source:

To Boston: Denver Nuggets 2027 second-round pick

To Chicago: most favorable 2026 second-round pick of Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Portland Trailblazers (likely to be NOP)

Brad probably would have traded down anyway.

Getting an extra #2 that doesn't appear to be heavily protected is a small bonus.

[Celtics2021]

https://x.com/bobbymarks42/status/2018789487166497024?s=46

Boston tax bill drops from $39.5M to $17M

They get out of the first apron

More importantly, they are eligible to sign a player waived that had a pre-existing salary of $14.1M plus

Any potential candidates out there?

KP if he?s traded.  Khris Middleton.  Nurkic but now we don?t have the same playing time for him.

Also Simons if his trade consummates and he is moved again in the next two days to someone who buys him out.

KP would obviously be interesting, as well as Kris. Really think a third guard/ball handler would be helpful, though. Kris can somewhat help with that, but not a perfect fit for that need.

There will hopefully be some others to hit the buyout market.  The ones I listed are just those that make over $14.1 million who could find themselves available.

[A Future of Stevens]

I guess this is an in Brad I Trust situation.

I understand extending the asset, but a 35 year old center that doesn't play defense is iffy to me.

I also understand the idea of holding onto your flexibility. The JJJ trade and proposed Zubac trade would have locked us in to our current situation.

This trade screams hold to me

[Goldstar88]

I guess this is an in Brad I Trust situation.

I understand extending the asset, but a 35 year old center that doesn't play defense is iffy to me.

I also understand the idea of holding onto your flexibility. The JJJ trade and proposed Zubac trade would have locked us in to our current situation.

This trade screams hold to me

Queta will likely continue to start. Vucevic coming off the bench instead of Garza is a home run.