Jaden Springer had been in trade rumors over the past few months due to his salary and he was indeed moved from the Celtics on Wednesday ahead of the trade deadline, sources confirmed to MassLive. Boston is trading Springer and their 2030 second-round pick to the Rockets, as first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. The teams are also exchanging heavily protected second-round picks (top-55 protected).

Springer, 22, was originally acquired by the Celtics at last year’s deadline from the 76ers. He was a young, intriguing piece but didn’t quite pan out in Boston after he didn’t earn a roster spot out of training camp.

Springer now heads to the Rockets, who have been a surprise team as they’re 32-18 and third in the West. While Springer’s defensive chops were on display over the past few weeks, he couldn’t shake it out from an offensive standpoint. Now he gets a chance to contribute for the Rockets.

Springer is earning $4 million this season in the final year of his rookie deal. Despite being a part-time rotation contributor in recent weeks, the Celtics’ faced luxury tax repeater penalties upwards of $16 million for having him on the books.

That’s a high cost to pay for a part-time player on a team with a gigantic payroll. Therefore the Celtics move off his salary now and likely fill it with an upgrade on a cheaper deal in the coming days via trade or the buyout market.

The Celtics give up a 2030 second round pick as part of the deal to fully dump Springer’s $4 million salary.

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