4 Celtics on Thin Ice Heading Into the NBA Draft

Jaden Springer

Another trade deadline acquisition by the Celtics, Springer failed to make the impact Tillman did in the playoffs. In his defense, Springer really didn't get much of a chance to shine as the Celtics were generally healthy in the backcourt in the final couple of months of the season.

Brad Stevens actively choosing to trade for Springer and giving up a second-round pick to do so means that he likes him as a player. The former first-round pick out of Tennessee didn't show much in his first three seasons in Philadelphia either but was always considered to have untapped potential. Before being traded to the Celtics, Philly had picked up his fourth-year option so he will be making $4 million in the 2024-25 season.

For a player who has played 67 games in his NBA career and averaged less than 10 minutes per appearance, it's hard to justify that kind of salary. Rookie-scale contracts for next season are less than that amount for players selected outside the lottery. So, it would make more sense for Boston to replace Springer with a rookie, whether it is their own pick at No. 30, or by trading into an earlier pick in the first round.

The Boston Celtics will likely be the most expensive team in the NBA next season. As the championship favorite, the ownership will be more than happy to pay that luxury tax, however, they will likely look for savings on the margins and Springer seems like an obvious one.