NBA Trade Notes: Bulls, Anfernee Simons, Celtics, Pistons, Wolves, Jazz, Jaren Jackson Jr, Grizzlies

Bulls/Celtics

Chicago and Boston finally pulled the trigger on a framework that’s been floating around for a while.

The Celtics are acquiring Nikola Vucevic, while the Bulls land Anfernee Simons, with both teams also receiving a second-round pick, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

According to Keith Smith of Spotrac, Boston gets Denver’s 2027 second-rounder, while Chicago receives the most favorable 2026 second from a four-team pool, likely New Orleans.

For Boston, this is about frontcourt survival and tax relief. Losing Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet left them thin up front, and Vucevic gives them scoring, spacing, and durability.

He’s averaging 16.9 points and 9.0 rebounds and is on an expiring $21.5MM deal. The move also cuts the Celtics’ projected tax bill by more than $22MM and drops them below the first apron.

Simons had become a reliable bench scorer, but Brad Stevens ultimately decided the roster balance and flexibility were worth the cost.

Chicago, meanwhile, adds another guard to an already crowded backcourt. Whether Simons is a long-term piece or a flip candidate remains to be seen, but moving Vucevic officially closes the book on the Arturas Karnisovas era-defining trade that brought him to Chicago in 2021.

Expect at least one more Bulls guard to be on the move.

Pistons/Bulls/Wolves

Detroit made its call on Jaden Ivey.

The Pistons are sending Ivey to Chicago in a three-team deal that routes Mike Conley from Minnesota to the Bulls, while Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric head to Detroit.

The Pistons also receive a protected 2026 first-round pick swap from the Timberwolves.

Ivey never fully re-established his role after injury setbacks and was playing limited minutes on a team chasing the East’s top seed.

Detroit decided now was the time. Huerter fills an immediate shooting need, even if his percentages are down this season.

For Minnesota, this is a straight salary move. Moving Conley’s $10.8MM expiring deal drops the Wolves below the first apron and slashes their tax bill, while also creating a trade exception that could be useful if they pivot to another guard or keep dreaming on Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Chicago suddenly has guards everywhere, and that feels very much by design.

Jazz/Grizzlies

This one shook the league.

The Jazz acquired former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. in a blockbuster with the Grizzlies. Utah also gets John Konchar, Vince Williams Jr., and Jock Landale.

Memphis receives Walter Clayton, Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang, and three first-round picks — the Lakers’ 2027 pick, the most favorable of Cleveland, Minnesota, or Utah’s 2027 selections, and Phoenix’s unprotected 2031 first.

The surprise wasn’t just that Jackson moved. It was where he landed. Utah had not been linked to him, and Memphis had been signaling Jackson was a long-term pillar.

Instead, the Jazz went big. New president Austin Ainge is clearly accelerating the timeline, envisioning a future frontcourt of Lauri Markkanen, Jackson, and Walker Kessler.

Utah still controls at least one first-round pick in every future draft and is betting that this is the moment to pivot from asset hoarding to building.

For Memphis, this is about picks, flexibility, and a reset. The Grizzlies now control 12 first-rounders over the next seven drafts and have optionality everywhere.