Rockets-Celtics Trade Grades: Jaden Springer Headed To Houston

The Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets have agreed to a deal that will send Jaden Springer and a 2030 second-round pick to Houston, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Charania also reports “both teams are also exchanging heavily protected second-rounders.”

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

This is the second straight deadline in which Springer has been moved after the Philadelphia 76ers dealt him to Boston a year ago. In 26 appearances this season, the former Tennessee Volunteer is averaging 1.7 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.5 steals.

More Opportunity In Houston?

Partly because of his own limitations and partly because of win-now priorities from his two previous employers, Springer has hardly ever seen consistent rotation minutes through 3.5 seasons in his career. That seems unlikely to change with the Rockets, which are both loaded with young talent and a rising contender in the Western Conference at 32-18 this year.

Houston’s guard/wing room is led by Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore and Reed Sheppard. Despite the team’s tough-nosed, defensive-minded ethos — one Springer matches himself — there’s not really a pathway to minutes for him.

He’s a tremendous on-ball defender, equipped with strength, lateral mobility, slippery screen navigation and pesky hands. But his offense has not developed enough yet, whether it be improving as an outside shooter, ball-handler or creator. Those shortcomings have prevented him from ever carving out steady minutes in Boston and Philadelphia.

Springer will be a restricted free agent this summer, so it’ll be interesting to monitor whether he sees any chances with the Rockets to boost his value heading into the offseason.

Grading The Deal

Houston Rockets: B-

The Rockets take a flier on a young player, while also nabbing a second-round pick along the way. I’m skeptical of Springer panning out in Houston because of its entrenched perimeter depth and how much he still must grow to earn minutes on a playoff contender. Nonetheless, it’s solid business without much risk or significant upside.

Boston Celtics: C-

Springer enjoyed a few splashy moments during his yearlong tenure in Boston. But with Derrick White, Jrue Holiday and Payton Pritchard around, the reigning champs simply never had the opportunity or developmental context to give him reliable run. This move trims some money off of the Celtics’ luxury tax bill, but doesn’t add any financial flexibility. It’s not worth fretting too much about, but a cost-cutting trade that sees you ship out a second-round pick and a young player isn’t ideal either.