What Joe Mazzulla Told Rising Guard Following Celtics Trade

BOSTON — Jaden Springer found himself on the move for the second consecutive year at the NBA trade deadline.

But this time, the 22-year-old guard was being sent away from the Celtics.

After the Celtics acquired Springer from the Philadelphia 76ers a season ago, Boston shipped him and a 2030 second-round pick to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. Future second-round picks were also swapped in the deal.

Prior to facing the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden on Thursday night, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla revealed what he told Springer after the deal went through.

“I talked to him that night,” Mazzulla said. “Just explained to him the positive things that he did, grateful for how he approached our locker room and the daily process of getting better. He had a great mentality and understanding about it.”

Springer didn’t stay on the Rockets for long, though. According to The Athletic’s John Hollinger, the Rockets waived Springer on Thursday to create a roster spot for Cody Zeller.

Springer wasn’t blindsided by the deal as Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said he clued in Springer that he could be dealt. The Celtics trading Springer was more of a salary dump than anything else. Springer making $4 million this season was too much for an end-of-the-bench piece who rarely played and his contract cost the Celtics more on the luxury tax. The Celtics saved roughly $15 million in tax penalties by offloading Springer.

Springer made an impact off the bench as a defensive sparkplug in recent weeks. He got his most consistent minutes in a Celtics uniform and was a catalyst for Boston in an overtime win over the Los Angeles Clippers with four steals and eight points.

While Springer is available on the open market, he cannot re-sign with the Celtics, who will have other options on the buyout market to fill a roster spot.