Chicago Bulls Explored Nikola Vucevic-Anfernee Simons Swap With Boston Celtics
The NBA rumor mill never really stops, and the Chicago Bulls are caught in the middle of it once again. With the Feb. 5 trade deadline coming up, the front office has been busy checking the market on veteran Center Nikola Vucevic. And even though recent reports suggest they may prefer to keep him, it turns out the Bulls already explored a major move earlier this season involving the Boston Celtics.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Bulls and Celtics engaged in discussions regarding a trade swapping Nikola Vucevic for Anfernee Simons.
Examining the Proposed Chicago Bulls Trade
The framework of the deal was straightforward but impactful. The Chicago Bulls reportedly inquired about acquiring Simons, a dynamic scoring guard, along with a first-round pick, sending Vucevic to Boston in return.
For Chicago, the logic tracks. The team is currently sitting at 23-24, fighting for play-in positioning in the East. They have a roster that is trying to bridge the gap between competitive veteran presence and a youthful core featuring Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis.
Adding Simons, who is averaging nearly 14 points on 44% shooting, would have injected another high-upside scorer into the backcourt rotation. It fits the timeline of a team looking to get younger and more explosive while potentially picking up draft capital to aid a soft rebuild.
However, the report states that Boston rejected the offer. The Celtics, sitting comfortably in third place in the East at 29–18, ultimately chose not to disrupt their rhythm with this kind of move.
Why the Chicago Bulls Are Pivoting
The rejection of this trade proposal puts the Chicago Bulls in a tricky spot. Vucevic, now 35, is putting together some of his most efficient basketball in years, averaging 17 points and 9.1 rebounds. He’s a steady presence who can space the floor and fit into just about any offense. He is also on an expiring contract, making him a prime candidate to be moved before he potentially walks for nothing.
The Bulls have a slew of other players on expiring deals, including Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu, creating a financial puzzle that the front office must solve sooner rather than later. If the Chicago Bulls cannot find a trade partner willing to meet their asking price for Vucevic, they risk losing leverage.
Why the Celtics Shouldn’t Move Simons
From Boston’s perspective, there’s little reason to part with Simons unless a rival team presents an offer that clearly elevates their championship ceiling. Simons is just 26 and provides a level of shot creation and scoring versatility that the Celtics have often lacked behind their star wings. His ability to operate both on and off the ball gives Boston valuable lineup flexibility, especially in playoff settings where half-court creation becomes paramount.
Trading that kind of controllable, ascending talent for a 35-year-old center on an expiring deal would have introduced far more risk than reward. While frontcourt depth remains a need, the Celtics are better served holding onto Simons unless a truly overwhelming package materializes. His skill set and timeline align too well with Boston’s long-term plans to justify moving him for anything less.
