The Boston Celtics need a starting-caliber center. Since the offseason began, the team has traded away starting center Kristaps Porzingis and watched Luke Kornet leave in free agency. While Al Horford remains a free agent, the 39-year-old is not expected to come back.
That currently leaves head coach Joe Mazzulla with Neemias Queta, newly acquired Luka Garza, and 2nd-round draft pick Amari Williams, who have combined for 11 NBA starts. Queta has shown flashes in limited minutes, while Garza remains unproven at the NBA level.
Celtics Must Target Bulls C Nikola Vucevic to Fill Big Hole
Even with superstar Jayson Tatum expected to miss most—if not all—of the season while rehabbing a torn Achilles, the Celtics should still aim to compete. Led by four-time All-Star Jaylen Brown, Brad Stevens has still assembled a roster that should make the playoffs in the wide-open Eastern Conference.
One big man that would present a sizable upgrade is Nikola Vucevic. Last season with the Chicago Bulls, the 34-year-old big man averaged 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. Most notably, Vucevic would easily fit into Mazzulla’s five-out offense as he shot 40.2% on three-pointers last season.
Why would the Bulls want to part ways with such a productive player? With their 12th pick in the draft, the team selected raw prospect Noa Essengue, and while Vucevic is still playing at a high level, parting ways with him would free up more minutes for Essengue to develop and let Chicago embrace a rebuild.
In addition, Vucevic is entering the final year of his 3-year, $60 million contract, and the Bulls should look to get the most value for him in a trade.
Acquiring Vucevic wouldn’t come cheap, but with Boston’s championship window still open—and the East up for grabs—Brad Stevens may need to act decisively. The big three of Brown, Derrick White, and Vucevic could stabilize the roster while Tatum recovers, giving the Celtics a shot at staying relevant deep into the season.