![\"NBA](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/nikola-vucevic.jpg\" "\\"Nikola")
Nikola Vucevic (Image via Twitter Chicago Bulls) The Chicago Bulls may soon look to move on from another core piece of their early-2020s roster. According to a recent trade pitch, veteran center Nikola Vucevic could be swapped for scoring guard Anfernee Simons, a deal that would signal Chicago\u2019s ongoing rebuild while also addressing Boston\u2019s frontcourt issues.<\/p>\n
Chicago Bulls\u2019 Rebuild Continues After Major Departures<\/p>\n
The Chicago Bulls have already undergone significant roster turnover, parting ways with DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Lonzo Ball dating back to last offseason. Despite those exits, Chicago still holds tradable veterans, and Vucevic is among the most notable. \u2022 Two-time All-Star center \u2022 Final year of his contract: $21.5 million \u2022 Has been mentioned in trade rumors for multiple seasonsWhile his contract has tempered league-wide interest, Vucevic could still attract playoff-caliber teams searching for a reliable big man.<\/p>\n
Why Boston Could Be a Trade Partner<\/p>\n
![\"Anfernee](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/anfernee-simons.jpg\" "\\"Anfernee")
<\/p>\n
Anfernee Simons (Image via Getty)<\/p>\n
The Boston Celtics face an uncertain season after Jayson Tatum suffered a ruptured Achilles in the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals. With Tatum\u2019s return unlikely until 2026, the franchise has made significant changes: \u2022 Kristaps Porzingis traded in June \u2022 Al Horford expected to leave in free agency \u2022 Luke Kornet already departedThis leaves Boston with Neemias Queta, Chris Boucher, and Luka Garza as its current center rotation. To stay competitive without Tatum, the Celtics may look toward an experienced option like Vucevic.<\/p>\n
The Trade Proposal<\/p>\n
Nathaniel Holloway of Athlon Sports recently floated a trade idea involving a straight-up swap between Chicago and Boston.Chicago Bulls ReceiveBoston Celtics Receive Anfernee Simons (Expiring contract, $27.7M) Nikola Vucevic (Final year, $21.5M)Joe Mayo summarized the situation, writing: \u201cNathaniel Holloway of Athlon Sports recently floated a trade pitch that would send Vucevic to Boston, returning Anfernee Simons in a one-for-one swap.\u201d<\/p>\n
What Anfernee Simons Brings to Chicago<\/p>\n
Anfernee Simons, acquired by Boston in a previous salary-shedding move with the Portland Trail Blazers, would instantly boost the Chicago Bulls\u2019 backcourt scoring. \u2022 Averaged 19.3 points per game \u2022 On an expiring $27.7 million contract \u2022 Provides a scoring punch to aid Chicago\u2019s playoff pushThis deal would also free up minutes for big men Zach Collins and Jalen Smith in Chicago\u2019s rotation, offering the franchise a blend of flexibility and offensive firepower.<\/p>\n
Why This Works for Both Sides<\/p>\n
For the Bulls:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Gains a high-volume scorer in Simons \u2022 Opens frontcourt minutes for younger bigs \u2022 Maintains financial flexibility with another expiring deal<\/p>\n
For the Celtics:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Acquires a veteran center with proven production \u2022 Strengthens frontcourt depth during Tatum\u2019s absence \u2022 Adds playoff experience to balance roster gapsThe Chicago Bulls have now missed the postseason three straight years and are looking for a formula that could get them past the Play-In Tournament. Acquiring Anfernee Simons could be a step toward reshaping their offensive identity.Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: Golden State Warriors Could Land $13,372,418 Utah Jazz Star to Support Stephen Curry; Hield Key Trade Asset?<\/a>Meanwhile, Boston\u2019s decision would reflect its urgency to stay competitive in a year clouded by uncertainty without Tatum. If the proposal gains traction, this trade could reshape both teams\u2019 short-term futures while giving fans a glimpse at their long-term strategies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Nikola Vucevic (Image via Twitter Chicago Bulls) The Chicago Bulls may soon look to move on from another…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":172159,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[434],"tags":[33677,1222,49,48,5184,459,21638,18725,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-172158","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nba","8":"tag-anfernee-simons","9":"tag-boston-celtics","10":"tag-ca","11":"tag-canada","12":"tag-chicago-bulls","13":"tag-nba","14":"tag-nba-trade-rumors","15":"tag-nikola-vucevic","16":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172158","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=172158"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172158\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/172159"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=172158"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=172158"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=172158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}