The only Celtics trade rumor just became an impossible decision

On Wednesday night, the Boston Celtics took on the LA Clippers, but they were both a shell of themselves. The Clippers more so than the Celtics. Boston was missing Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford, but the Clippers were without James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Ivica Zubac, Norman Powell, and more. With everyone sidelined, it was an unlikely source who stepped up—Jaden Springer.

With a few minutes left in the third quarter, the Celtics were still struggling. The Clippers had been consistently making shots all game, and Boston’s defensive pressure wasn’t where it needed to be. That’s when Springer entered the game.

And he changed everything.

Jaden Springer just made Celtics trade rumor an impossible decision

In the final four minutes of the third quarter, Springer grabbed three steals, and he finished the game with four. He was a complete nuisance, which worked in favor of the Celtics.

Kevin Porter Jr. had been cooking all game, but Springer shut him down. That left the Clippers without a consistent source of offense, and Boston was able to grind out a win in overtime. But now, the Celtics have a very difficult decision to make.

For the entire season, the only Celtics trade rumor that has been floating around involved Springer. It was even reported that the Celtics scoured the market to try to dump Springer’s contract in hopes of keeping Lonnie Walker IV around.

Springer makes a little over $4 million, meaning the Celtics would be able clear up some financial flexibility. And since they are a second-apron team, they can’t aggregate players in trades nor send out less than they take back, making Springer their most sensible trade asset.

But now, they are in a weird spot. Do they capitalize on Springer’s great game and try to trade him while his value is high? Or should they keep him around and give him more playing time?

The Celtics had been struggling in the weeks leading up to their current road trip, but Springer gave them a unique source of energy on Wednesday night. They should want to harness that to give them a spark moving forward.

That said, keeping Springer means they likely won’t have much room to make trades. The only trade they were rumored to be interested in would be off the board. Plus, if they keep him around, they would have to sign him to a new contract this summer, which they may not want to pay.

So, what now? The Celtics have an impossible decision to make.

To keep Springer, or not to keep Springer? That is the question. And Boston has until February 6 to make it.