Ex-Celtics Guard Expresses Appreciation Following Boston Trade

The Boston Celtics found themselves in a tricky situation entering February’s NBA trade deadline, but former guard Jaden Springer appreciates the way the organization handled everything.

Springer, who arrived in Boston amid last season’s trade deadline, came across minimal opportunities to develop in a Celtics uniform. The 22-year-old sat in the back end of Boston’s bench, making unforeseen garbage time appearances for the most part, and with a complex luxury tax situation, the Celtics bid Springer farewell.

“Brad (Stevens) told me like before it actually (happened),” Springer told reporters at TD Garden Monday, per CLNS Media. “He gave me a heads up like, ‘Hey, something might happen.’ So I’m happy that he gave me a heads up. I appreciate Brad for bringing me in, letting me get a championship with the guys and be on the team. So I appreciate them. I got love for them. So that’s pretty cool.”

Boston traded Springer, along with a 2037 and 2030 second-round pick, to the Houston Rockets in exchange for a 2031 second-round pick. The Celtics reduced their tax penalty from $65.6M to $50.2M by offloading Springer’s $4 million — Boston is a second-apron franchise with a top-three payroll in the league.

Springer was averaging 1.7 points across 26 games, playing 5.4 minutes a game for the Celtics before taking off for Houston. From there, the Rockets waived Springer 24 hours after finalizing the trade, sending the youngster into the open market. Danny Ainge, a familiar face in Boston and current Jazz president of basketball operations, soared in and took a chance on Springer.

Utah signed Springer to a 10-day contract, and immediately after the deal expired, the Jazz upgraded the Tennessee product to a three-year, $5.6 million contract. Springer’s patience was rewarded and Utah offered a perfect situation for him to grow without the pressure of having to perform on the spot for a championship contender.

Springer’s Utah arrival reunited him with fellow Celtics champion Svi Mykhailiuk, who signed a four-year deal with Ainge’s Jazz in the offseason.

“Svi, that’s my guy. I talk to him every day, all the time,” Springer said. “I like this team. It’s a young team. Everybody likes each other. It’s good energy, so I’m happy where I’m at.”

Springer added: “They said they were interested, let me come on 10-day deal, see what I can do, see I am as a person, as a player. I went there, I guess things, went well, so they gave me a little deals to be on the team, and I’m appreciative of that. I just wanna go out there and help these guys compete, any way I can.”

Utah’s rebuilding team has allowed Springer to log six appearances. He’s played 11.2 minutes, averaging 3.5 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists, shooting 46.7% from the field. The defensively skilled veteran will continue to work toward carving out a role with the Jazz to bolster his value before Springer’s contract expires in 2028.