Welcome to Boston, Jaden Springer!

[redslastlaugh]

I still want to buy in on this guy's potential, but for as strong a defender as Springer is, he's so unnatural on offense. Always feels like he's fighting the ball, and his body, and his position on the court relative to others/relative to what's happening.

I could see them try to trade him with a 2nd to shed his $4M and clear a roster spot for Lonnie instead

Brad did so well last year finding young NBA veterans who could shine on a vet min. He got Oshae, Svi, Dalano Banton, Lamar Stevens. It’s just surprising that with how Brad managed trades&draft that we came into this offseason without any open roster spots, that if a young vet didn’t find a home, we aren’t able to offer a spot. Surprising, that’s all.

What was the plan if Oshae Brissett opted into his player option? Were they expecting to lose Tillman or Kornet and so open up space on the roster? Did they think they could carry 15? Did the family spilt between Wyc and Irv Grousbeck and decision to sell the team throw off their offseason plans? Did they get no offer for #30 in the draft because teams didn’t want to help the champs after Brad took 4 future seconds (+ Jordan Walsh) away from 2023 draft, and teams said “not this year, Brad” … so they had to take a pick they really were not expecting to keep?

So many questions …. With how deep he NBA is right now and all the vets who took vet mins to just have an NBA paycheck, why do we not have any freakin open roster spots? lol

[Homerclease]

I still want to buy in on this guy's potential, but for as strong a defender as Springer is, he's so unnatural on offense. Always feels like he's fighting the ball, and his body, and his position on the court relative to others/relative to what's happening.

I could see them try to trade him with a 2nd to shed his $4M and clear a roster spot for Lonnie instead

He’s unplayable on offense. Semi levels of bad. I’d still like to hang onto him but he’s never going to crack the rotation unless he can find some way to contribute on the offensive end

[sam_I_am]

4 million isn’t a lot of money, but for Celtics he is a waste of space. I’d rather see Walker on the roster. Trade him for an exception and use that to sign Walker on the big league roster.

[SuperDeluxe]

4 million isn’t a lot of money, but for Celtics he is a waste of space. I’d rather see Walker on the roster. Trade him for an exception and use that to sign Walker on the big league roster.

The issue seems to be not the 4 million but the associated tax penalties.

[phincsfan]

I still want to buy in on this guy's potential, but for as strong a defender as Springer is, he's so unnatural on offense. Always feels like he's fighting the ball, and his body, and his position on the court relative to others/relative to what's happening.

I could see them try to trade him with a 2nd to shed his $4M and clear a roster spot for Lonnie instead

Yup. I thought the offseason would be a chance for him to work on his offense. Don't really see it. At least the 3 million three's helped XMan out.

[31to6]

I still want to buy in on this guy's potential, but for as strong a defender as Springer is, he's so unnatural on offense. Always feels like he's fighting the ball, and his body, and his position on the court relative to others/relative to what's happening.

I could see them try to trade him with a 2nd to shed his $4M and clear a roster spot for Lonnie instead

Brad did so well last year finding young NBA veterans who could shine on a vet min. He got Oshae, Svi, Dalano Banton, Lamar Stevens. It’s just surprising that with how Brad managed trades&draft that we came into this offseason without any open roster spots, that if a young vet didn’t find a home, we aren’t able to offer a spot. Surprising, that’s all.

What was the plan if Oshae Brissett opted into his player option? Were they expecting to lose Tillman or Kornet and so open up space on the roster? Did they think they could carry 15? Did the family spilt between Wyc and Irv Grousbeck and decision to sell the team throw off their offseason plans? Did they get no offer for #30 in the draft because teams didn’t want to help the champs after Brad took 4 future seconds (+ Jordan Walsh) away from 2023 draft, and teams said “not this year, Brad” … so they had to take a pick they really were not expecting to keep?

So many questions …. With how deep he NBA is right now and all the vets who took vet mins to just have an NBA paycheck, why do we not have any freakin open roster spots? lol

I'm happy to give Brad a total blank check or pass about all of this. He built a monster of a squad and managed the back end of the roster really well -- finding and developing Sam (now a quality rotation player) and Neeimas (hopefully on his way to being the same, but we'll see), and took good gambles with Davison, Walsh, and even (the dream will never die) Begarin. Walsh is likely the only one of those three who might pan out, but that's still good work for a late first and a couple of lower seconds. Now we *do* have a roster spot for Lonnie if ownership is willing to pay for it.

Springer has always felt like a bit of a reach to me, but you can appreciate why when you watch his defensive highlights, and send enough GMs that reel and you can probably move him, even if you have to attach a second.

I join you in wondering if they got 'stuck' at #30, and I do think Scheierman looks like he might just suck as an NBA prospect, even if his drifting moon shot 3pt FGAs start to occasionally connect.

[31to6]

I still want to buy in on this guy's potential, but for as strong a defender as Springer is, he's so unnatural on offense. Always feels like he's fighting the ball, and his body, and his position on the court relative to others/relative to what's happening.

I could see them try to trade him with a 2nd to shed his $4M and clear a roster spot for Lonnie instead

Yup. I thought the offseason would be a chance for him to work on his offense. Don't really see it. At least the 3 million three's helped XMan out.

he's hitting some of his threes but it always looks surprising (to me, and to his arms) when he shoots them, and then just as surprising when they go in.

It's not impossible that he develops -- I guess happily, Walsh is. I'm just spit-balling that if Walsh shows he can be the defensive wing, they might keep Lonnie as the offensive wing and try to move Springer for $$ purposes. Unless we're already a second apron team and can't?

[Hal14]

I still want to buy in on this guy's potential, but for as strong a defender as Springer is, he's so unnatural on offense. Always feels like he's fighting the ball, and his body, and his position on the court relative to others/relative to what's happening.

Idk. Maybe sometimes it's kind of like that. But it sure didn't look that way when he scored a team-high 23 points on good efficiency in Summer league vs Miami (who went on to win the SL title). It also didn't look that way when he was G league championship MVP..or in college.

We gotta also remember. He just turned 22. Still early in his development. And we got him for his defense - not for his offense.

[Hal14]

I still want to buy in on this guy's potential, but for as strong a defender as Springer is, he's so unnatural on offense. Always feels like he's fighting the ball, and his body, and his position on the court relative to others/relative to what's happening.

I could see them try to trade him with a 2nd to shed his $4M and clear a roster spot for Lonnie instead

Yup. I thought the offseason would be a chance for him to work on his offense. Don't really see it. At least the 3 million three's helped XMan out.

he's hitting some of his threes but it always looks surprising (to me, and to his arms) when he shoots them, and then just as surprising when they go in.

I wouldn't worry too much about what it looks like. Horford and Brogdon have shooting mechanics that are not easy on the eyes, by any means. But they go in.

He's 3/6 (50%) from 3 so far in the preseason. Small sample, so if we include the last game he played in before preseason (summer league), he's 6/12 (50%) from 3. The 1 game he played for the maine Celtics last season, he was 1/2 from 3. That game was on March 26. He played in 2 other games for the Celtics after that game where he played meaningful mins (12+ mins). He was 1/2 from 3 in both of those games.

So that's a 7 game sample (3 preseason games, 1 SL game, the 1 game he played w/ maine celtics on 3/26 + 2 games w/ BOS celtics since 3/26 where he got meaningful mins). Over those 7 games, he's 9/18 (50%) from 3. That's on 2.5 attempts per game. Not high volume, but not crazy low either.

He's not a volume shooter. He's in there for his defense. But he's showing some signs (to use a Marv Albert phrase lol) of being a respectable shooter. Seems like he has been putting in work on his shot and it's paying dividends.

[darrendaye]

Yup. I thought the offseason would be a chance for him to work on his offense. Don't really see it. At least the 3 million three's helped XMan out.

he's hitting some of his threes but it always looks surprising (to me, and to his arms) when he shoots them, and then just as surprising when they go in.

I wouldn't worry too much about what it looks like. Horford and Brogdon have shooting mechanics that are not easy on the eyes, by any means. But they go in.

He's 3/6 (50%) from 3 so far in the preseason. Small sample, so if we include the last game he played in before preseason (summer league), he's 6/12 (50%) from 3. The 1 game he played for the maine Celtics last season, he was 1/2 from 3. That game was on March 26. He played in 2 other games for the Celtics after that game where he played meaningful mins (12+ mins). He was 1/2 from 3 in both of those games.

So that's a 7 game sample (3 preseason games, 1 SL game, the 1 game he played w/ maine celtics on 3/26 + 2 games w/ BOS celtics since 3/26 where he got meaningful mins). Over those 7 games, he's 9/18 (50%) from 3. That's on 2.5 attempts per game. Not high volume, but not crazy low either.

He's not a volume shooter. He's in there for his defense. But he's showing some signs (to use a Marv Albert phrase lol) of being a respectable shooter. Seems like he ahs been putting in work on his shot and it's paying dividends.

The other thing with Springer is he can keep his line when he drives on close-outs. Contact doesn't bother him too much. He leaves a number of shots short, but, he has a little push shot and turnaround. Not likely to get a big chance to use them with what will be around him, of course. As long as Springer plays with max effort on defense, I believe the want is to save wear and tear for the veteran guards and still think Springer is the best fit to do so early in the season. But he's got to consistently fight over picks.

[Dogen]

No way I'd be selling low on Springer. I hope the team can keep both he and Walker.

Yeah, he looks a little lost at times on the offensive end, but the team's sets will do that to a guy. He was better in a more open style of play in Philly it seems. There was a play last night where he just dribbled the ball up the court, stopped after the three point line, looked around and turned the ball over.

I know that's an odd way to make a point to keep a guy, but he has a lot more to offer once he finds his role on the team. He's like the black sheep now. Lonnie moved ahead of him, too, IMO.

Everything going so well. We need a guy with a chip on his shoulder.

Dude brings a unique skill that no other bench player, except perhaps Walsh, brings to the table. He is a back court defensive menace.

His offense will come in time. He just hasn't sussed Joe's system yet. It takes time for a ball handler.

[brackdan70]

I still want to buy in on this guy's potential, but for as strong a defender as Springer is, he's so unnatural on offense. Always feels like he's fighting the ball, and his body, and his position on the court relative to others/relative to what's happening.

I could see them try to trade him with a 2nd to shed his $4M and clear a roster spot for Lonnie instead

Brad did so well last year finding young NBA veterans who could shine on a vet min. He got Oshae, Svi, Dalano Banton, Lamar Stevens. It’s just surprising that with how Brad managed trades&draft that we came into this offseason without any open roster spots, that if a young vet didn’t find a home, we aren’t able to offer a spot. Surprising, that’s all.

What was the plan if Oshae Brissett opted into his player option? Were they expecting to lose Tillman or Kornet and so open up space on the roster? Did they think they could carry 15? Did the family spilt between Wyc and Irv Grousbeck and decision to sell the team throw off their offseason plans? Did they get no offer for #30 in the draft because teams didn’t want to help the champs after Brad took 4 future seconds (+ Jordan Walsh) away from 2023 draft, and teams said “not this year, Brad” … so they had to take a pick they really were not expecting to keep?

So many questions …. With how deep he NBA is right now and all the vets who took vet mins to just have an NBA paycheck, why do we not have any freakin open roster spots? lol

We do have an open roster spot though. Only 14 guys are signed.

[31to6]

tell me about his college days (which I didn't watch) or his Gleague Finals MVP (of which I only watched highlights) or his one surprisingly good SL game this past summer (watched every second), but I stand by the assessment that he looks -- to me -- like he labors on offense, and I can see him getting leapfrogged by both Walsh and Walker IV, which potentially puts his roster spot in jeopardy.

Now I'll add: despite having a 6'8" wingspan and a muscular build, he seems limited by his dimensions, and he gets swallowed up physically out there by 2nd and 3rd string Raptors.

Now I'll remind: I said Jaden might develop offensively, and it would be cool if he did. And I love defense, so let's see him guard like we believe he can.

Now let's consider context: The easiest job in the NBA right now is to be the 5th Celtic -- Luke looks like an All Star being the 5th wheel with the starters -- and whoever wins the "10th man" role is likely to do similar with the bench. (What did Oshae really do last year other than hustle and fly around?) I ranked Jaden the leader in the clubhouse for that role, but it looks like he's slipped behind Walsh and Walker IV. Ideally they keep them all and they all go down in Celtics history as useful bench guys with several rings:)

While we're talking opinions: Al's jump-shot is beautiful to me, FWIW. Pure artistry. I don't know where he 'learned' it, but I love it.

[Hal14]

Jaden has been getting some hate on here, on Twitter and on Facebook. Lots of people saying we should just salary dump him in a trade.

Figured it might help to get a reminder of why we got him.

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Here he makes 7/9 (77.7%) corner 3's

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Keep in mind, all of these clips are from before he turned 22. So there is clear talent and a clearly defined role (perimeter defense stopper w/ some upside offensively as a guy w/ the potential to score off the bounce and on open catch and shoot 3's) at a very young age..

[darrendaye]

[redslastlaugh]

Jake L Fischer from Yahoo reporting on threads

Perhaps the buzziest 15th roster spot in the league resides in Boston. The champion Celtics don’t need to make any trades to keep Lonnie Walker for the regular season, as Boston has an open roster spot. But keep an eye on the Celtics moving Jaden Springer this year, maybe as late as the February trade deadline, to save north of $7 million in tax payments that would come with keeping Walker.

https://www.threads.net/@thepeoplesinsidershow/post/DBS6B0FRYBw?xmt=AQGzTW3WOkYHOXxxxyZ7pqDN2LVDaWWkCXxm5VlgMLpScw

[brackdan70]

He is really pretty solid at 75% of the game. He is not a great scorer, but who cares. We have a team full of great scorers. Perfect 12th man for the Cs. He won’t get traded. That’s my bold prediction.

[Dogen]

He is really pretty solid at 75% of the game. He is not a great scorer, but who cares. We have a team full of great scorers. Perfect 12th man for the Cs. He won’t get traded. That’s my bold prediction.

Not a great scorer, but probably a little better than he has shown. Like Walsh, Springer needs to slow down a bit and just make the right reads. If he's playing, he'll most likely have at least 3 other scorers around him. \

I think his calling card will be on defense, no surprise, but also as a distributor. I'm curious to see him out there with Pritchard, for example, and let Payton play off the ball while Springer sets up the offense. He has the ability just needs the experience.

[Celts17Pride]

Springer will be gone by the end of the year as soon as Brad Stevens can find a taker. Springer is a square peg for a round hole on the Celtics. Completely lost on offense and a career 23% three point shooter. Tons of DNPs in his Celtics future

[Parliament10]

Springer will be gone by the end of the year as soon as Brad Stevens can find a taker. Springer is a square peg for a round hole on the Celtics. Completely lost on offense and a career 23% three point shooter. Tons of DNPs in his Celtics future

Why the Hell are we keeping Springer, but letting Walker go?
This is Bizarro World stuff.

Admit it, Brad Stevens laid a goose egg on this one.
He's entitled to a mistake.