The Boston Celtics have one of the best rosters in basketball. Through their first two games of the 2024-25 season, they have absolutely dominated. It doesn’t seem like they need to make any adjustments to their squad. However, that doesn’t mean everyone on the roster has equal value.
Obviously, Boston isn’t going to shake up their core group. That includes the starters, Kristaps Porzingis (who is injured), Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser. Their big-man rotation is probably pretty safe, too: Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman, and Neemias Queta. Throw in Jordan Walsh to that mix, and everyone else on the roster probably isn’t safe.
But while the Celtics could consider a variety of moves for plenty of reasons, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report recently unveiled that one guy is more likely to be traded than any of the rest—Jaden Springer.
Celtics could trade Jaden Springer by the deadline
According to Fischer, who recently did an NBA intel dump on a Bleacher Report livestream, Springer is the most likely Celtic to get traded as they look to save as much money as possible.
“What will make things a lot easier for Boston, and this is probably something that happens far closer to the February trade deadline…,” Fischer explained. “Just keep an eye on the Celtics potentially moving Jaden Springer come February to potentially open up some opportunity to bring on someone like Lonnie Walker or another back-of-the-bench minimum-salary player.”
The Celtics have the most expensive roster in basketball. Including taxes, the total cost for their roster is hovering around the $500 million mark, which is almost unheard of.
It’s a big reason why they didn’t sign Walker to their open 15th roster spot before the start of the season. However, if they can unload Springer, perhaps there’s a chance that a guy like Lonnie Walker or another veteran could come in and join the team.
The benefit of waiting until later on in the year is that the Celtics would only have to pay a prorated salary rather than the entire deal. They would save some money on that side of things and by trading Springer’s contract.
As of now, Springer is in the final year of his contract, making a little bit more than $4 million.
If the Celtics want to keep him around, they would have to hand him a contract extension. But based on all the buzz about Walker and Boston potentially trading Springer by the deadline, it doesn’t seem like he’ll be on the team very long.