Two Celtics coaches 'endorsed' recent trade-deadline addition
The Boston Celtics added Jaden Springer at the trade deadline. The 21-year-old defensive guard has been slowly earning a legitimate role within the Philadelphia 76ers' rotation. However, Daryl Morey traded him away for a second-round pick.
Following the deal, Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe reported that Celtics coaches Sam Cassell and Tyler Lashbrook endorsed the move.
Cassell and Lashbrook have both spent time working with Springer. They were part of Doc Rivers' coaching staff last season. Cassell is one of the most well-respected assistant coaches in the NBA and has championship experience as a player.
As such, it would appear Brad Stevens heeded his coaching staff's advice. Springer will bring a new defensive dynamic to the Celtics roster. He has shown he can thrive as a point-of-attack defender. He can also comfortably guard positions one through three.
The bigger question will be whether Springer can crack the Celtics rotation. They hold the best record in the NBA. They're top of the Eastern Conference. There's not much that needs changing within Joe Mazzulla's rotation. Nevertheless, Boston has added another option for Mazzulla during games. They now have a pit-bull defensive guard to hound ball-handlers if they're finding success on offense.
Springer has another year remaining on his contract. Even if he struggles to crack the rotation this season, there's a chance he could become a role player in the next one. For a team with an immense amount of top-end talent, adding a developmental player that's highly valued by the coaching staff is a smart move.
For now, though, Springer is unlikely to have much of an impact on the Celtics' chances of championship success.
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