Celtics’ Nikola Vučević Trade Could Be About More Than Just This Season
The Boston Celtics’ big trade-deadline move for Nikola Vučević seemed perfectly straightforward for several reasons.
For one, the trade saved the team a significant amount of money and became the major domino that needed to fall for Boston to have a realistic chance of ducking the luxury tax.
Beyond that, the Celtics addressed their biggest perceived weakness by bringing in a proven veteran and former All-Star center who can stretch the floor, score in the post, and impact games offensively.
Vučević’s contract was also expiring — much like the $27+ million they sent out with Anfernee Simons — so, in the end, everything appeared to balance out for Boston.
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More Than a Short-Term Fix
However, according to Brian Windhorst on The Big Number podcast with Tom Haberstroh, the move may have been about more than just this season.
Windhorst pushed back on a popular narrative that the Celtics made the Simons-for-Vučević swap simply because Jayson Tatum is returning and would make Simons’ role less meaningful.
Instead, Windhorst believes Boston made the move with the future in mind — specifically planning to re-sign Vučević to a smaller extension in the offseason. That opportunity only exists because they acquired him now as an expiring contract.
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Celtics May Re-Sign Vučević
Windhorst suggested the Celtics had little interest in bringing Simons back this summer. In that sense, the trade functioned as “pre-agency,” positioning the team to lock in Vučević for the final stage of his career.
This approach makes sense. Boston currently lacks a clear long-term plan at center.
Neemias Queta has impressed and could be extended as a future starting option. Meanwhile, Luka Garza and Amari Williams remain long-term projects who may not be ready for major roles.
With no obvious solution on the horizon — either in free agency or internally — targeting a veteran like Vučević, who can fill offensive needs, becomes a logical strategy.
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A Low-Risk Move With Upside
Ultimately, this is a low-risk move with meaningful upside. The trade achieved multiple goals at once: financial flexibility, roster balance, and potential long-term stability at center.
Brad Stevens and his front office have built a strong reputation for these calculated decisions. If they believe Vučević can become the next version of Al Horford — a veteran presence alongside the Jays on a team-friendly deal — it’s a vision worth trusting.
