Celtics Finally Make Anticipated Trade Ahead of Deadline
By Cem Yolbulan
Thursday's NBA trade deadline is fast approaching. With only 24 hours left to make deals, teams are scrambling to pull off a blockbuster trade or upgrade their roster. While the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade sent shockwaves around the league, followed by De'Aaron Fox, Zach LaVine, and Khris Middleton being moved, the Boston Celtics are not expected to make a drastic change.
On Wednesday, GM Brad Stevens likely made the one and only move he will make before the deadline.
The Boston Celtics are trading Jaden Springer and their 2030 second-round pick to the Houston Rockets, sources tell ESPN. Both teams are also exchanging heavily protected second-rounders. pic.twitter.com/rhcmgvvJQo
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2025
NBA News: Celtics Trade Jaden Springer to the Houston Rockets
ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Boston is moving Jaden Springer, along with a second-round pick, to the Houston Rockets. Teams will also be exchanging other second-round selections as part of the deal.
This was an anticipated move by the Celtics. They are one of the most expensive teams in the league with a hefty tax bill. Springer was getting paid $4 million this season. For a player who hasn't been a part of the rotation for most of the season, that is an expensive luxury to have. By trading him, the Celtics are saving roughly $15 million while creating an additional roster spot, per NBA cap expert Keith Smith.
Boston moving Jaden Springer is about opening an additional roster spot and reducing their tax bill. Roughly $15M in actual dollars saved by the Celtics in this move, before signing a replacement player.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) February 5, 2025
Houston takes a flyer (assuming they keep Springer) and picks up an…
The Celtics now have 13 players on the roster. Teams can't have fewer than 14 guaranteed contracts on their roster for more than two weeks. Therefore, the Celtics have to sign a player to the roster spot created by Springer's departure. Considering the likely deep postseason run Boston will go through, they will presumably want to sign a 15th player as well.
Whether they use this roster spot to sign a defense-first backcourt player like Springer or go a different direction remains to be seen.
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