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Nikola Vu\u010devi\u0107 is averaging 16.9 points, nine rebounds and 3.8 assists per game this season.<\/p>\n
The Boston Celtics are adding some frontline depth for the playoff run, agreeing Tuesday to acquire Nikola Vu\u010devi\u0107 from the Chicago Bulls for guard Anfernee Simons, a person with knowledge of the pending trade said.<\/p>\n
There is a package of second-round draft capital also involved in the trade, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal is still pending the required league approval.<\/p>\n
The 35-year-old Vu\u010devi\u0107 is joining his fourth team after stints with Philadelphia, Orlando and the Bulls. He has averaged 16.9 points and 9.0 rebounds this season, roughly matching his career marks of 17.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.<\/p>\n
Simons was with the Celtics for just this season, after coming to Boston in the trade last summer that sent Jrue Holiday to Portland. He averaged 14.2 points this season for the Celtics, who entered Tuesday tied with New York for second in the Eastern Conference despite being without Jayson Tatum all season while he recovers from a torn Achilles.<\/p>\n
The move will also lessen Boston\u2019s tax bill considerably, from about $39 million to roughly $17 million. There are other financial flexibilities that the Celtics pick up as part of the deal as well, which could be turned into other moves.<\/p>\n
Both players are set to be free agents this summer.<\/p>\n
A former two-time All-Star, Vu\u010devi\u0107 has spent the last 5 1\/2 seasons with Chicago, but now moves on to Boston where he will slot in as an immediate starter at center.<\/p>\n
Vu\u010devi\u0107 joins a frontline that was thin on experience as Neemias Queta, Luka Garza and Xavier Tillman Sr. comprise Boston\u2019s center rotation.<\/p>\n
Vu\u010devi\u0107 has appeared in 16 playoff games \u2014 10 of which came with the Orlando Magic from 2018-20 \u2014 and has appeared in 1,020 regular-season games.<\/p>\n
He\u2019ll provide plenty of experience for Boston (31-18) as it looks to separate from the New York Knicks for the No. 2 seed in the East.<\/p>\n
The Celtics landed Simons from the Blazers in the offseason deal that shipped out veteran guard Jrue Holiday. Simons hit his stride in January with Boston, posting 15.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg and 2.6 apg in 16 games.<\/p>\n