The Boston Celtics have gone through a lot of turnover over the last couple of seasons since winning the championship in 2024. One of those roster casualties was young guard Jaden Springer, who is getting another chance with the Dallas Mavericks.
Springer entered the NBA as the 28th pick of the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2021 NBA Draft, and it is hard to consider his career anything but a disappointment. The likes of current Celtics starting center Neemias Queta, backup center Luka Garza, Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu, Hawks wing Aaron Wiggins and Mavericks big Santi Aldama all went after Springer was selected.
The Celtics were intrigued by Springer
Even so, the upside with Springer was tantalizing. A 6'4" guard with his combination of length, tools and scoring punch was too intriguing for the 76ers to pass on. And 2.5 years later, when Philadelphia needed to duck the luxury tax, it was tantalizing enough for the Boston Celtics to give up a second-round pick to take him on.
The Celtics didn't have much playing time for him, not on a loaded championship roster. With Derrick White and Jrue Holiday starting, and Payton Pritchard backing them up, only a smattering of minutes remained for the likes of Springer, Dalano Banton and JD Davison as guards on the fringes of the rotation.
Springer didn't spend much time in Maine, however, playing just one game. It was quite the game, however, as he dropped 26 points, six rebounds and three assists. And even in limited minutes for the Celtics, often in garbage time, Springer was a steal-snagging machine and a rebounding monster.
Even so, the Celtics made the move to cut him loose at the 2025 trade deadline, paying a second-round pick to do so. The Rockets waived him, and Springer has been bouncing around since then.
Springer is without an NBA home
This past season, Springer was productive in the G League once again, putting up 15.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists. He wasn't the level of dominant that would have earned him an automatic call-up, but he still has real talent that teams will have a hard time completely dismissing.
The Dallas Mavericks decided to give Springer another chance this summer, bringing him in to their Summer League roster. They have had a lot of roster turnover in the backcourt, saying goodbye to AJ Johnson and AJ Johnson after sending out D'Angelo Russell and Jaden Hardy at the trade deadline.
There is room for Springer to claw his way back into an NBA roster, and perhaps the Mavericks will be convinced to take a closer look if he can star for their Summer League team. His rebounding and defensive event creation are points in his favor, but he needs to shoot consistently to convince an NBA team -- be it Dallas, Boston or otherwise -- to give him another shot.
The Celtics had to give up on that chance. Now Springer has another chance to fully realize his dream.
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