In a move designed to save costs (both payroll and luxury tax) for the Boston Celtics, the Houston Rockets acquired Jaden Springer and a 2030 second-round pick on Wednesday. The teams also exchanged heavily protected future second-round selections, as first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Now 22 years old, Springer was drafted in the 2021 first round out of Tennessee. In portions of four NBA seasons, the 6-foot-4 guard has played only sparingly, having averaged 2.7 points (40.8% FG) and 1.3 rebounds in 8.0 minutes per game.
Springer has been more productive in G League appearances, where he’s averaged 16.8 points (48.4% G), 4.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 28.0 minutes. He’s well regarded for his athleticism and physical perimeter defense, but 3-point shooting has always been a relative weakness.
The Rockets are absorbing Springer into their unused 2024-25 non-taxpayer mid-level exception (NT-MLE), and are thus effectively buying a future second-round pick in exchange for taking on the remainder of Springer’s salary. He is not owed any money beyond this season.
The Boston Celtics will create net savings of $16 million against the payroll and luxury tax by getting off Jaden Springer’s $4 million salary.They create a $4 million trade exception and still have 5 second-round picks available.
They have two weeks to get back to 14 players.
— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) February 5, 2025
Houston had an open roster spot prior to the deal, so no additional moves will be required in order for it to be processed by the league office.
The NBA’s in-season trade deadline is this Thursday, Feb. 6, at 2:00 p.m. Central.
The Houston Rockets have an open roster spot and their $12.8 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception to absorb Jaden Springer.
They’re $6.6 million below the luxury tax after this trade, so they still have room to increase payroll and stay under it.
— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) February 5, 2025
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This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets trade for Boston’s Jaden Springer and future second-round pick
