Jaden Springer is returning to the New Orleans Pelicans' organization. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports that the former Boston Celtics guard will join their G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron.
Springer impressed enough at training camp and during his preseason opportunities that he earned a roster spot on opening night with the parent club. However, needing front-court depth, New Orleans waived him to make room to bring DeAndre Jordan on board.
After evaluating his options, the four-year veteran is wisely choosing to remain with the Pelicans' organization. Furthermore, rather than sitting on the bench in New Orleans, he will get significant playing time in Birmingham.
In the G League, Springer can sharpen his offensive game. He is already a defensive bulldog. NBA teams know they can trust him to come off the bench and perform capably in that capacity. Having turned 23 in late September, if he can showcase growth offensively, he will pique the interest of the Pelicans and franchises around the Association.
Jaden Springer's path to an offensive impact
The former Celtics guard is only a career 23.8 percent three-point shooter. That's on a low volume of fewer than 1.0 attempts per game. While a small sample size can distort the reality of what someone is capable of from beyond the arc, in this case, it paints an accurate picture. He has spent most seasons with a conversion rate that, percentage-wise, hovers in the low 20s or below.
One can't rule out him overhauling his mechanics and becoming more reliable from three-point range. However, the vision of Springer blossoming into a 3&D player, growing into that archetype to carve out his place in the NBA, isn't a model he can count on.
Unfortunately, he also hasn't demonstrated much growth when initiating offense or operating as a connector. While he can attack downhill, utilizing his strength and explosiveness, he doesn't get many opportunities to do so in an NBA setting. Furthermore, he's effective finishing at the rim, but at six-foot-four, his height works against franchises putting enough stock in this being his primary contribution at that end of the floor.
However, what the former first-round pick can do is utilize that effectiveness around the rim as a cutter. If Springer develops a feel for when to break to the basket, he can appreciably increase his offensive impact. His athleticism would make him a real weapon in that regard.
Plus, teams are crashing the glass more than ever. Springer can generate put-back dunks and layups, and second-chance opportunities, including tracking down long rebounds off missed threes.
So, while there are concerns about Springer's path to raising his offensive profile, there is also a role he can immediately showcase his value in. Combined with what he can already do at the defensive end, it illustrates how he can earn his next opportunity in the NBA.