Nikola Vucevic's adventure in Boston lasted about as long as one bad summer - and it's already over. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Montenegrin centre won't stay with the Celtics and will almost certainly sign with a new club as a free agent this off-season. Half a season after a trade with high expectations, both sides conclude the marriage isn't worth continuing.

Boston brought Vucevic in at the last trade deadline, sending Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick in the 2026 draft to the Chicago Bulls. The idea was clear: they needed a tall player who stretches the floor with an outside shot and frees up part of the salary cap. Logical on paper. On the court - another story.

After just 16 games, a broken bone in his right hand in March took Vucevic out of the end of the regular season. In the regular season he averaged 9.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2 assists, but in the playoffs he dropped to just 6.2 points on 37.8 percent shooting - numbers that don't hold up for a team with ambitions.

His struggles on offence and weak defence played a part in the Celtics' exit in the very first round against Philadelphia, and that after leading the series 3-1. When a favourite collapses from such a lead, every move comes under the microscope - and the centre brought in for exactly those moments paid the highest price.

Still, the market won't forget him. Vucevic turns 36 in October and carries an expiring contract worth 21.4 million dollars. But a tall player who hits threes always finds a buyer in the NBA - that need doesn't age. The Balkan fan has known Vucevic too long to write him off; the only question is which club will offer a second chance in the right place.