The Boston Celtics’ trade of Anfernee Simons for Nikola Vučević (plus some second-round pick swaps) was framed as a cost-saving, need-filling move that allowed the team to duck under the luxury tax while adding a reliable veteran big.
After a few more minor transactions, Boston did indeed drop below the second apron — a financial win on paper.
Boston Celtics, Brad Stevens
But in terms of winning basketball — especially in a wide-open Eastern Conference where they currently sit third at 34-19 — the deal is starting to look like one of Brad Stevens’ rare missteps.
Why the Trade Is Already Looking Like a Bust
Vučević is not a playoff-caliber starting centerHe can space the floor (decent 3PT%), rebound, make short-roll passes, and score in the post/mid-range.But his rim protection is subpar (career-low blocks and poor deterrent at the rim in recent years).Playoff teams attack slower, less mobile bigs relentlessly in drop coverage — Vučević has never advanced past the first round in 14 seasons, and his defensive profile is a major reason why.
Loss of offensive juice and change-of-pace Simons was a high-volume, microwave scorer off the bench who could create his own shot, break down defenses, and take pressure off the starters. Vučević is a finisher and connector, not a creator. The Celtics’ bench scoring and half-court creation have noticeably dipped since the trade.
Payton Pritchard moving back to the second unit hasn’t filled the void — Boston now lacks a true secondary shot-maker who can get 15–20 points on any night.Sunday’s blowout loss to the Knicks was a warning sign
Boston shot 17.1% from three (7-of-41) and 37% overall — brutal numbers.Vučević was -24 in 23 minutes, early foul trouble, no offensive rhythm, and got carved up defensively.The Knicks attacked him in pick-and-roll, exploited switches, and punished misses with second-chance points and transition.That kind of performance will be magnified tenfold in a playoff series.
The defensive drop-off is already visible Simons was never a lockdown defender, but he was quick, pesky, and could at least stay in front of guards. Vučević is a drop-coverage big who gets targeted by quicker opponents. Boston’s defense — once elite — has slipped in the margins since the trade, and Vučević is part of the problem.
The Bigger Picture: Stevens’ Track Record vs. This One
Brad Stevens is widely regarded as one of the best GMs in the league for a reason:
Masterful acquisition of Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday to build the 2024 title team.Smart deconstruction afterward to stay competitive under the new CBA.Keeping the core intact (Brown, Tatum, White, Pritchard, etc.) while navigating apron restrictions.
This Simons-for-Vučević trade, however, feels like the first real miss in a long time.
ESPN graded it a generous C. Many fans and analysts would argue it deserves an F — especially when Simons was a key bench creator and the Celtics gave up a better second-rounder in the process.
What Comes Next for Boston
Short-term: The team still has elite talent (Brown, White, Pritchard, Tatum when healthy) and can win games through defense, coaching, and grit. But the margin for error is shrinking.Long-term: Vučević is on an expiring deal ($21.5M). If he doesn’t help in the playoffs (or if Boston flames out early again), expect Stevens to aggressively pursue another center this summer.Playoff reality: The East is wide open, but teams like Cleveland (Harden + Mitchell + Mobley), New York, Milwaukee, and others are built to exploit slow-footed bigs in drop coverage. Vučević will be targeted relentlessly.
The Celtics won’t win the East with Vučević as the starting center — that much is becoming clear.
Stevens will take the blame, learn from it, and likely build another contender next year. That’s what he does.
But this trade? It’s the one blemish on an otherwise masterful run — and it might cost Boston dearly in 2026.
Celtics fans — do you think Vučević can still be a positive playoff contributor, or is this already looking like a clear mistake? Should Stevens look to move him this summer? Let me know your take below — the second half is here, and Boston needs to prove this wasn’t a fatal error.