The NBA’s trade deadline has come and gone, and the Celtics were active. Boston shipped out Anfernee Simons, Chris Boucher, Josh Minott, and Xavier Tillman Sr., while bringing in Nikola Vucevic and two-way guard John Tonje. The team also converted Amari Williams’ two-way contract into a standard deal.
Here’s a look at the moves made by Brad Stevens and the front office at the deadline.
Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick to Chicago for Nikola Vucevic and a second-round pick
Anfernee Simons made a strong case to remain in Boston. The 26-year-old averaged 14.2 points and 2.4 assists per game across 49 appearances, all off the bench, while shooting 44% from the field and 39.5% from three. As the season progressed, he grew increasingly comfortable within the Celtics’ system on both ends of the floor.
Simons led all NBA reserves in made three-pointers with 130 and ranked third in total scoring at 694 points. Among bench players with at least 45 games played, he finished second in both net rating at 6.1 and offensive rating at 118.8.
Ultimately, though, to get, you have to give. Simons and his expiring $27.7 million contract were always Boston’s most valuable trade chip. With the possibility of Jayson Tatum’s return, Simons’ scoring punch became less essential, making frontcourt help the clearer priority.
That need was addressed by acquiring Nikola Vucevic. The veteran big man is averaging 16.9 points, nine rebounds, and 3.8 assists through 48 games this season. He owns a 21.0% defensive rebounding percentage, placing him among just 17 players league-wide to clear 20% while playing at least 40 games. Defensive rebounding has been a weakness for Boston, which ranks 23rd in the category as a team.
Vucevic is also the only player in the NBA this season with at least 400 rebounds and 80 made three-pointers. Over the past two seasons, the two-time All-Star has shot 39.1% from beyond the arc on 4.5 attempts per game. He provides consistent rebounding, floor spacing, and a reliable pick-and-pop element that the Celtics have not consistently featured. Among centers attempting at least four three-pointers per game, he is one of only five shooting better than 36%. His passing and post scoring also add a new offensive dimension.
Financially, the trade dropped the Celtics below the first apron, reduced their tax bill by more than $20 million, and created a new $27.6 million traded player exception.
Chris Boucher, a future second-round pick, and cash considerations to the Jazz for two-way guard John Tonje
In an unsurprising move, the Boston Celtics traded Chris Boucher to the Utah Jazz.
Boucher, who spent seven seasons with the Toronto Raptors after signing with the Golden State Warriors as an undrafted free agent in 2017, joined Boston this offseason on a one-year, $2.3 million minimum deal seeking a bigger role. That opportunity never materialized. The nine-year veteran appeared in just nine games for the Celtics, the fewest of any player on a standard contract, totaling 94 minutes. After Nov. 23, he played in only one game and sat out Boston’s final two contests before Thursday’s trade deadline for what the team cited as personal reasons.
Boston acquired two-way guard John Tonje in the deal. The 24-year-old was selected 53rd overall in the 2025 NBA Draft after a five-year collegiate career at Colorado State from 2019 to 2023, at Missouri during the 2023–24 season, and at Wisconsin in 2024–25. A 2025 Second Team All-American, Tonje has yet to make his NBA debut. He has spent the season in the G League with the Salt Lake City Stars, averaging 18.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.0 steals across 30 games.
Josh Minott traded to the Brooklyn Nets for cash considerations
After a promising start to the season, appearing in 27 of the Celtics’ first 28 games, Minott fell out of the rotation in mid-to-late December. He appeared in just five games after Dec. 26, with an ankle injury sidelining him for 10 contests, and never seemed likely to reclaim a meaningful role.
The 23-year-old, who spent the previous three seasons in Minnesota and rarely played with the Timberwolves, showed early promise in Boston. He started nine consecutive games before eventually being replaced in the lineup by Jordan Walsh.
In 33 total appearances, including 10 starts, Minott averaged 5.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game while shooting 50.7% from the field and 44.2% from three-point range. According to the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, the trade was for cash considerations.
Amari Williams’ two-way contract converted to a standard deal
Boston converted Williams’ two-way deal to a multi-year standard deal.
The Celtics drafted the 6-foot-11 center 46th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft out of Kentucky. At Kentucky, Williams appeared in 36 games, all of which were starts. He averaged 10.9 points (scoring in double-figures 21 times) on 56.5% shooting (team and career-high), 8.5 rebounds (team-high), 3.2 assists (career-high), and 1.2 blocks (team-high), helping lead the Wild Cats to the Sweet 16.
The Nottingham, England native became just the second men’s basketball player in SEC history to post at least 375 points, 300 rebounds, 100 assists, 40 blocks, and 20 steals in a single season — joining Johni Broome, who also did it this past year. Only 25 players in Division I history have hit those marks, and Williams is the first to do it in fewer than 1,000 minutes.
Williams has spent most of the season with Maine in the G League, where he has been dominant. Across 21 games, he has averaged 15.3 points, 11.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.8 blocks in 30.0 minutes per game. He has appeared in 13 NBA games with Boston, averaging 8.2 minutes per contest, along with 1.7 points and 2.1 rebounds.
The 24-year-old has the foundational tools to succeed at the NBA level. He is an elite passer for his size and a strong rebounder and screener. While he may not yet be ready for a consistent rotation role, the upside is clear.
Xavier Tillman Sr. was traded to the Charlotte Hornets for a 2030 second-round pick that is top-55 protected
The final trade sent Xavier Tillman to Charlotte in exchange for a 2030 second-round pick that is top-55 protected, according to the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach.
Tillman appeared in just 14 games this season but was a respected leader and a well-liked presence in the locker room. The 27-year-old, acquired at the 2024 trade deadline, was part of Boston’s 2024 championship team and appeared in eight postseason games during that run, including two in the NBA Finals. He played a key defensive role against Luka Doncic and delivered a momentum-shifting corner three in the third quarter of Game 3.
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