The Boston Celtics welcomed the Chicago Bulls to TD Garden on Thursday night. It marked the third time the two sides have squared off this season, and most of the Celtics’ lineup was healthy. However, there were a couple of players who remained sidelined, and it opened an opportunity for Jaden Springer.
Sam Hauser and Xavier Tillman were both ruled out just before tip-off. Hauser has been a regular part of Boston’s rotation this year, so there were some minutes to spare, and Springer took them. Through the first half, Springer played well, contributing some hustle defense and a high-flying rebound.
However, his minutes may mean more than just an extra opportunity.
Jaden Springer's new minutes could be a trade showcase
Up to this point in the season, Springer hadn’t seen the floor in the first, second, or third quarters this season. But against the Bulls, he earned minutes in the first and second periods (and the game is still going on as this is benign written).
Springer’s big board was paired with an ugly contested layup attempt in transition, but overall, he played some relatively inoffensive minutes.
But the real reason he may have been on the court could have nothing to do with basketball.
As the trade deadline inches closer and closer, the Celtics aren’t going to be involved in any major rumors. However, it does seem likely that they will make a move to lessen their tax bill. And considering Springer makes just over $4 million, he is by far the most obvious candidate to be traded.
Even before the season started, there were rumblings that the Celtics looked around for ways to trade Springer so they could keep Lonnie Walker IV on the roster. That obviously did not happen.
Giving Springer some extra minutes now could be Boston’s way of attempting to beef up his trade value. If he plays well, perhaps the Celtics wouldn’t have to attach draft capital to him to get off his contract. Maybe another team could take a chance on him as a prospect.
That said, they also run the risk of Springer playing poorly. Because if that happens, they may have to give up a second to get off his contract.
Regardless, Springer’s new opportunities don’t seem like a coincidence. December 15 marked the unofficial start to trade season, as almost everyone who signed a contract over the summer is eligible to be traded on that date.
This is the first game (outside of Boston’s game on that exact date against the Washington Wizards) that the Celtics have played since that date.
There’s a chance Springer playing against the Bulls may just be the team giving him a new opportunity. But where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And there has been a ton of smoke surrounding Springer potentially getting traded.
This may have been a showcase game for Springer.