The Chicago Bulls have been busy this trade season and the latest pre-deadline casualty was big man Nikola Vučević, who was sent to the Boston Celtics in a deal for guard Anfernee Simons on Tuesday afternoon, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. The teams also swapped second-round picks in the trade, which was the second deal made by Chicago on Tuesday.
Vučević, 35, was in the final year of his contract worth around $21 million. Simons, 26, is also on an expiring deal worth $27.6 million. Chicago had previously dealt Kevin Huerter and Dario Sǎrić to the Pistons as part of a three-team deal with the Timberwolves earlier in the day. The Bulls picked up guards Mike Conley Jr. and Jaden Ivey in the process.
Below, Yahoo fantasy basketball analyst Dan Titus will provide his reaction to the trade with analysis for key players.
Fantasy basketball impact
Nikola Vučević – PF/C, Boston Celtics
Celtics shoring up their frontcourt with Vuče is a good real-life basketball move that will likely still translate well to fantasy. I don’t expect Vuče to play 30 minutes a night with a capable backup big like Neemias Queta present, but he’ll still be the preferred fantasy option of the two going forward. The Celtics land an efficient and consistent big man who can stretch the floor and still be a capable rebounder. I don’t anticipate too much of a drop off when it comes to his fantasy output in points or 9-cat leagues. Queta, on the other hand, likely becomes droppable in 10s, and fringe-rostered in 12s.
Jalen Smith – PF/C, Chicago Bulls
One of the early winners at the trade deadline, those who stashed Smith are elated to hear Vuče is on his way to Beantown. Smith was already operating in a larger capacity, starting alongside Vuče in six of his last seven games before suffering a calf injury. With Zach Collins out, Smith now has a stronghold over the center minutes in Chicago. He’s been providing nearly top-100 value over the past couple of weeks, but if the Bulls don’t add any additional pieces to the frontcourt, I’d project he’d be at least a top-60 type of player across formats.
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