The Utah Jazz waived Jaden Springer, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The six-foot-four guard was on a non-guaranteed contract. However, $400,000 of that was going to become guaranteed if he remained on the roster through Jul. 25.
While the Jazz and Springer could have agreed to push back that deadline, the amount Utah would have owed him is probably not what kept him from remaining on the roster.
The Boston Celtics traded the former first-round pick to the Houston Rockets in a financially motivated move at this season's trade deadline. They lowered their tax bill by over $15 million by shedding his salary.
The Rockets then waived Springer, who joined the Jazz on a 10-day deal. He parlayed that opportunity into a three-year contract with Utah. Alas, he only appeared in 17 games with the franchise.
The former University of Tennessee standout averaged 3.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 13.2 minutes of floor time in those contests.
While Springer being on the unemployment line is a nightmare, he turns just 23 in September. He adds value to an NBA organization by being a defensive bulldog. He has proven that in opportunities against the likes of Jayson Tatum, Stephen Curry, and Luka Doncic.
However, his offensive limitations could deter teams from bringing him to training camp. There's more talent in the league than ever. If a club wants to gamble on upside and untapped potential, it might opt for a player it believes has more two-way abilities.
While that raises concern about Springer's future NBA opportunities, he could catch the eye of international teams. Those offers figure to be more lucrative and come with more playing time.
Perhaps that's not a route the North Carolina native is interested in traveling. Maybe he'd even rather prove himself in the G League. Still, interest from overseas could help elevate his free-agent market. It's also possible he attends training camp with an NBA franchise before deciding to play internationally if that opportunity doesn't work out.
So, while getting waived by the Jazz and needing to find his next professional home is an unfortunate situation, what comes next could easily do more for Springer than his time in Utah did.
Should the Celtics re-sign Jaden Springer?
Springer had perhaps the best game of his career while with Boston this season. He came off the bench to star in a 117-113 overtime win over the Los Angeles Clippers in late January. He generated eight points, including a clutch corner three, and swiped four steals in just over 20 minutes.
That performance, his most memorable one in Celtic green, was a significant part of why fans hated to see him go at the trade deadline. Now, Boston could bring him back.
The 18-time NBA champions just waived JD Davison, creating a roster vacancy. Previously, they had filled 15 spots, which put them at the regular-season maximum.
However, Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe reports that no moves are imminent for the Celtics. Waiving Davison got them below the second apron again. That was likely the motivation for that move.
Their next move could be to sign Springer. However, this author guesses that his next opportunity will be elsewhere.