Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla talks with guard Jaden Springer. David Butler II-Imagn Images

Can the Celtics find a buyer for Jaden Springer?

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Jan 29, 2025 4:27 PM ET

The Boston Celtics are short on wing depth. Joe Mazzulla has been forced into leaning on double-big lineups to help cover up some of the team's shortcomings this season. Both Oshae Brissett and Svi Mykhailiuk left the franchise during the summer.

Over the past few games, Mazzulla has been giving defensive-minded guard Jaden Springer a boost in minutes. Springer has barely featured since joining the Celtics at the 2024 trade deadline. However, he has been an impact-maker off the bench over the past week.

According to Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports, Boston is giving Springer more minutes to potentially increase his trade value.

“I’ve heard that they’re open to trading Jaden Springer," O'Connor said via "The Kevin O'Connor Show" podcast. "He’s been playing lately. I’d imagine that they’re trying to feature him to increase his value,” O’Connor said. “He’s a very good defender, hitting some 3’s for Boston, some clutch 3’s. I’d look to flip Jaden Springer for a Big. I think Day’ron Sharpe is interesting. If they package 2 1sts with Springer to the Jazz for Walker Kessler, I’d be interested in that type of trade package as well.”

Boston is a second-apron luxury tax team. As such, any trade with Springer can only bring in a player of the same contractual value or less. Springer is earning $4 million this season and will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer. Therefore, the franchise's ability to improve the current roster is limited, although a veteran such as Torrey Craig of the Chicago Bulls could make sense.

Springer, 22, has played in 23 games for the Celtics this season. He's averaging 1.8 points per game. Any team that trades for him is doing so based on his potential. Still, a young player who has proven capable of shutting down All-Star caliber players on an expiring deal is a valuable trade commodity.

It makes sense that rebuilding teams would want to take a closer look at Springer for the rest of the season. However, they must ensure they have a player capable of improving Boston's wing rotation.

Springer has put himself in the shop window. Now all the Celtics can do is wait and see if anyone takes the bait.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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