The Boston Celtics just made their first move of the trade deadline. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, they traded Jaden Springer and their 2030 second-round pick to the Houston Rockets. Both sides will swap heavily-protected seconds as well, but the move was effectively a full-on salary dump for the Celtics.
As reported by Keith Smith of Spotrac, the Celtics will save $15 million by trading Springer. Though the 22-year-old only makes a little over $4 million, Boston’s exorbitantly expensive roster means that they pay a ton of money in taxes. Dumping Springer’s salary will save them a significant amount in taxes.
And now, their next move should be painfully obvious.
Celtics should sign JD Davison or Drew Peterson after Jaden Springer trade
By trading Springer, the Celtics only have 13 players on their roster. The NBA minimum is 14, meaning they have to sign at least one player in the coming days.
They could look to make a trade, but their financial situation makes that extremely unlikely. Boston could also look to sign a free agent or also attack the buyout market.
But based on the way they handled their roster situation last year (upgrading Neemias Queta from a two-way contract to a standard deal), it seems likely that they will end up elevating one of their two-way players—Drew Peterson, JD Davison, or Anton Watson.
Watson getting upgraded to a standard contract seems the most unlikely, considering he’s still in his rookie season. But Peterson and Davison are both solid options.
Davison is in his third year with the Celtics, and it’s also his third year as a two-way player. He’s been one of the best G League players in the league for the last two seasons.
His defense and lack of a consistent three-point shot have prevented him from earning a standard contract, but Boston could reward him for his commitment with a deal this year.
Meanwhile, Peterson has emerged as a solid prospect in Maine, too. The Celtics added Peterson after converting Queta’s contract last season, and he’s earned some NBA minutes this year.
Peterson could give the Celtics some solid depth at the wing, especially as they look to keep their starters healthy for the playoffs by giving them some extra rest as the season winds down.
Signing Davison to the standard deal may make a bit more since, considering he and Springer play the same position. Plus, it would be good for the Celtics to reward his hard work over the last three years.
Regardless, signing one of their two-way guys to a standard deal seems like Boston’s obvious next move.