LOS ANGELES — Jaden Springer has been the subject of trade rumors dating back to the end of Celtics training camp. The seldom used guard was unable to break into Joe Mazzulla’s rotation during the preseason despite high hopes from the front office, making him a pricy part of Boston’s bench for a team deep in the luxury tax, earning $4 million this year in the final season of his rookie deal.
Despite a host of injuries, Springer was unable to push his way into any meaningful playing time prior to Wednesday night. He had been on the floor for just 72 minutes over 19 games, most of those coming in garbage time.
The equation changed on Wednesday night with Boston down three rotation players against a feisty Clippers squad. With the likes of Amir Coffey and Kevin Porter Jr. feasting against a lethargic Boston defense, Joe Mazzulla searched for a spark. Jordan Walsh and Baylor Scheierman got chances in the first half with Jrue Holiday sidelined but Mazzulla turned to more defensive-minded option by calling Springer’s number with 3:54 remaining in the third quarter.
From there, the Celtics defense finally showed some resistance against a Clippers squad playing free. Springer played 15 consecutive minutes at one point, helping the Celtics shut down the Clippers offense with a 24-13 run to put the team in position for the win. Two major Jaylen Brown gaffes choked away a regulation win for Boston in the final minute but Springer remained on the floor for all of overtime, coming up big on both ends with a dagger 3-point shot and a key steal to help the Celtics secure a 117-113 overtime win.
Springer finished with six points on 2-of-6 shooting in the win and tied a career-high with four steals in a season-high 20 minutes.
“He’s just got an innate skill to impact the game with his physicality, his defense, and I thought that’s what the game needed at the time,” Joe Mazzulla said. “I think it’s one of the best things you can do in this league is to just deliver when your name is called, regardless of when it is. So it’s a credit to him and the work ethic that he has. I thought it was his defense, his physicality, his presence changed the game for us.”
It was the first meaningful minutes of Springer’s season and the effort earned extra attention from the Celtics stars.
“Super impressive,” Jayson Tatum said of the performance. “It’s just being the ultimate professional. You never know when you’re going to play. Game’s not going the way it’s supposed to or we expect. And Joe calls your number to come shut somebody down and give us a spark off the bench. And he did that.”
Jaylen Brown suffered a rolled ankle in the second quarter, which may have contributed to Mazzulla looking Springer’s way.
“As the season goes on, you need every guy on your team,” Brown said. “That’s just a testament to him and his work ethic. He got his name called. Defensively, we weren’t at our best. Kevin Porter was getting the best of us. Jaden just came in and just hawked the ball. Gave us some energy on defense and helped us get a win. So you gotta commend that. That’s huge. Then he hit some big shots on the other end. So it was definitely a great Jaden Springer game.”
With the trade deadline just two weeks away, the expectations has been the Celtics would trade away the 22-year-old for the millions of tax savings. Clearing his roster spot would also open up an opportunity for a more experienced wing.
That ultimately may be the path that Brad Stevens’ chooses but Wednesday’s performance should give the front office some pause. Boston has struggled containing speedy guards all year long and Springer showed he was up to the task on that front Wednesday. Boston should have a healthy roster back on Thursday night against the Lakers but the team should consider giving Springer an extended look before Feb. 6 before evaluating his future.
At the least, more opportunity could increase his trade value, convincing some team to take a flier on him, which would prevent Boston from including a sweetener to dump his salary. The possibility also exists that Springer is a better option for bench depth than other potential wings on the market. More chances with the regulars in the next 14 days will be a good indicator on that front.
For one game, it was clear that Springer was the superior option over Walsh and Scheierman for this group when Boston was shorthanded. Springer’s jump shot remains a big question mark but he hit enough (2-of-6) to make his defense worthy of staying on the floor.
“It feels great,” Springer said of his night. “We’re here every day working, so be able to see the benefits of the work you put in is a great feeling, especially with all my teammates, my guys, cheering me on. It’s amazing.”
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