Despite the absence of the injured Jayson Tatum, the Boston Celtics have continued to hum like a well-oiled machine this season.

Boston is running second in the East as of the All-Star break with a 35-19 record and have maintained their perennial contender status even without Tatum.

Jaylen Brown has stepped up and blossomed into a legitimate MVP candidate while Derrick White and Payton Pritchard have helped steady the ship. Now, the Celtics have shored up their frontline with last week’s trade that brought in two-time NBA All-Star Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls.

The 35-year-old center may now be at the tailend of his career, but remains quite a productive player and should positively affect Boston’s title chances. In his 48 appearances with the Bulls this season, Vucevic averaged 16.9 points on 50.5% field goal shooting, nine rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 30 minutes per game.

With Boston, Vucevic will not have to carry as heavy a load and his role is likely going to be quite similar to the one that former Celtic Al Horford played during his second stint with the team from 2021 to 2025–highlighted by their 2024 title run. 

Horford was a connector and floor spacer for Boston, something that Vucevic has already done for most of his 15-year NBA career. Vucevic is a more potent offensive player than Horford, though is hardly as versatile on the other end of the floor. This is something that the Celtics can live with as they also have defensive-minded center Neemias Queta on the team.

Vucevic’s stint with Boston got off to a strong start, leading the team’s second unit and averaging 13.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, a steal, and a block across his first three games. His third game–against no less than his former team, Chicago–was his best one yet. In 26 minutes, he put up 19 points on seven-of-12 shots, four three-pointers, 11 rebounds, three assists, a steal, and two blocks. He ended with a game-high +/- of +26 as the Celtics came away with a 19-point win, 124-105.

The early returns are promising, and Vucevic should only grow more comfortable as he acclimates to Boston’s system and his new teammates. With him onboard, the Celtics’ standing as one of the East’s favorites is solidified and their championship aspirations are strengthened further—especially with the potential return of Tatum later in the season.

For Vucevic, this opportunity is equally significant. 

A deep postseason run is one of the few things missing from his otherwise accomplished career. Having appeared in just 16 career playoff games, he now finds himself in his most favorable position yet to embark on a deep run. In Boston, surrounded by proven winners and elite talent, Vucevic finally has the stage to make the type of playoff run that has long eluded him.