Overview
- Boston swapped Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick to Chicago for Nikola Vucevic and a second-round pick before the deadline.
- Vucevic’s debut produced 11 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals in a 22-point comeback over Miami, the most rebounds in a Celtics debut since 2007.
- In Sunday’s loss to the Knicks he faced foul trouble and went 1-for-6 from three, and Jaylen Brown said the team needs him to be more aggressive as chemistry develops.
- Coach Joe Mazzulla praised Vucevic’s quick preparation after one practice and continued lineup tinkering, with Payton Pritchard moving to a sixth-man role.
- To get under the tax, Boston moved Chris Boucher, Xavier Tillman Sr. and Josh Minott, promoted Amari Williams, still must add players to reach 14 by Feb. 19, and Jayson Tatum remains undecided on a return.