Overview
- Boston swapped Anfernee Simons and a second-rounder to Chicago for Nikola Vucevic and a second-rounder, adding a veteran center to a thin frontcourt.
- Vucevic opened with 11 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in a comeback win over the Heat, marking the most rebounds in a Celtics debut since 2007.
- In a 111-89 loss to the Knicks, Jaylen Brown said the team must refine its chemistry and urged Vucevic to be more aggressive as he adjusts to a bench role.
- Coach Joe Mazzulla and teammates noted Vucevic’s limited practice time and ongoing lineup tinkering, with Derrick White saying the group isn’t as crisp as earlier in the season.
- The deadline deals moved Boston below the tax; after promoting Amari Williams, the team must add two players to meet the 14-man minimum by Feb. 19, and Brad Stevens said Jayson Tatum’s eventual return did not drive the moves.