The Boston Celtics are sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference right now, and they have been looking solid on the court. But it is not just their game that’s been active, as they have also been busy making moves behind the scenes. Now, an NBA insider has pulled back the curtain on a trade that almost happened but didn’t quite make it across the finish line.
NBA Insider Reveals Failed Boston Celtics Trade
If we look at just a day ago, NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the Chicago Bulls agreed to trade center Nikola Vučević, along with a second-round pick, to the Boston Celtics, and in return, the Bulls received Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick.
But here’s where things get interesting.
NBA Insider Michael Scotto has now revealed that before the Celtics pulled off this deal, they actually tried to make something happen with the LA Clippers. According to Scotto, Boston offered Anfernee Simons to the Clippers, but they wanted Ivica Zubac in return. The Clippers, however, weren’t having it and turned down the deal.
“The Celtics previously proposed Anfernee Simons, a first-round pick, and a future first-round pick swap for Clippers center Ivica Zubac and salary filler, which the Clippers declined, sources said. Boston also inquired on Jaren Jackson Jr. Instead, Boston lands Nikola Vucevic,” Scotto wrote on X.
Zubac would’ve been an interesting target, especially because he has been a steady NBA big for years. He entered the league after the Los Angeles Lakers selected him with the 32nd overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, and he later landed with the Clippers in a 2019 trade.
In 2024, Zubac signed a three-year contract extension worth $58,650,480 with the Clippers. For the 2025–26 season, he is set to earn a base salary of $18,102,000. With the Zubac deal falling through, the Celtics shifted their focus and landed Vučević instead, and that might not be a bad outcome at all.
Vučević is currently averaging 16.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, and he’s also shooting 50.5% from the field and 37.6% from beyond the arc.
Vučević brings exactly what Boston needs up front, as his rebounding gives them extra possessions and helps control the glass on both ends. Also, his ability to stretch the floor with his outside shot fits perfectly with how the Celtics like to play, and his skill set fits well with Boston’s perimeter-heavy style.
Now, with Vučević in the fold, the Celtics will look to see how this move plays out.
