FEBRUARY 6: The trade is official, the Celtics and Rockets announced today. In addition to the terms outlined below, Houston is also receiving a protected 2027 second-round pick.
Based on the draft assets Boston controlled, per RealGM, that ’27 second-rounder figures to be either the Trail Blazers’ or Pelicans’ pick (whichever is least favorable; top-55 protected). In other words, the Rockets will only get that pick if either Portland or New Orleans is among the NBA’s top five teams in 2026/27.
FEBRUARY 5: The Celtics have agreed to trade guard Jaden Springer and a 2030 second-round pick to the Rockets in a cost-cutting move, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
According to Charania, the two teams will also swap heavily-protected second-rounders. Kelly Iko of The Athletic reports (via Twitter) that Houston will send Boston a top-55 protected 2031 second-round selection.
A salary-dump deal involving Springer had long been anticipated for the defending champions, who had been operating well beyond the luxury tax line and had a projected end-of-season tax bill of about $65.6MM prior to this trade, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Twitter link).
Moving off Springer’s expiring $4.02MM contract will reduce that projected tax payment to approximately $50.2MM, per Marks, while also opening up a second spot on Boston’s 15-man roster. It doesn’t impact their tax apron position — they remain over the second apron.
Teams can’t carry fewer than 14 players for more than 14 days at a time, so the Celtics will have up to two weeks to re-add a 14th man once their deal with the Rockets is official. Signing a replacement for Springer will bump the team’s tax bill back up a little, but the newcomer figures to be on a prorated minimum-salary deal and will have a far more modest cap hit than Springer did, so the accompanying tax penalty won’t be substantial.
As for the Rockets, they entered the day with more than $10MM in breathing room below the luxury tax line, so absorbing Springer’s $4.02MM salary doesn’t materially change their cap situation. They also have an open spot on their 15-man roster, meaning no one will have to be waived to finalize the deal.
Houston doesn’t have any trade exceptions available, but they can use a portion of their mid-level exception to take on Springer’s salary without sending out a player for matching purposes.
Springer was the 28th overall pick in the 2021 draft, but never developed into a reliable rotation player for the Sixers and was traded to the Celtics at last season’s deadline. The 22-year-old played sparingly in Boston too, appearing in just 43 games over the past year and averaging 1.9 points and 1.0 rebound in 6.3 minutes per contest.
Although Springer will be eligible for restricted free agency at the end of his contract, he’s not expected to receive a qualifying offer. In fact, he may reach unrestricted free agency before season’s end — if the Rockets want to use their 15th roster spot on another player, he’ll likely be the odd man out.
Let’s hope this move allows Lonnie Walker back into the rotation
He’s not even on the roster anymore
They would be signing him back from Europe. He has an out clause up to Feb 18th. According to a report, 5 NBA teams have interest.
Like Springer. If a team has to suit up twelve players, Springer would be a good player to have on the bench. Young, strong, athletic and aggressive.
And don’t forget zero offensive skill.
He’s also not all that athletic.
With their franchise being up for sale, I think this is a smart move.
Agreed. Saving $15 million will really grease the skids on a ~$6 billion transaction.
Probably north of $6 Billion, but yeah.
Billionaires always try to save 15M if they can.
That’s part of being a billionaire. They usually aren’t all about spending it all on hookers and blow.
Who are your sources? Because mine are saying you’re full of it
That $15 million can be much more significant when considering the tax various thresholds and aprons under the CBA. Two or three moves like this can absolutely affect a valuation.
The point is not that $6 billion is much more than $15 million. The point is that the valuation exercise combines a lot of smaller events and cash flows, like this $15 million. Most of the prospective owners are private equity firms, not individual billionaires, with strict requirements for detail to support of any valuation. That’s why these transactions can take so much time and why the seller will often make changes during the process to expedite it.
Now the Celtics will have first dibs on Buyouts below the MLE. Lonnie Walker woikd be nice. The Nuggets are the front runner I believe.
Lame. I liked him as a deep bench guy. Moving him just to save money kinda sucks.
I didn’t like him at all as a deep bench guy. There’s far better out there.
He can’t run the point, and he can’t shoot. He’s good on D, but not good enough to make up for his other inadequacies.
Now sign Torrey Craig.
Solid move for Houston but gotta wonder what their plan is for Reed Sheppard
This guy will not impact their roster whatsoever They took him into their cap space for the additional picks. Hes most likely getting cut or on the g league roster
Go rockets!! Definitely didn’t see this season coming but it’s been nice. Last night was as by far the worst loss of the season, so bad it was on ESPNs front page news for a few hours
I would now trade Tillman, Walsh and Davison two way contract with a 1st for a good PF so the lineup can switch at times.
Then sign Oshae and or a veteran or buy out market. Maybe give Fultz a chance. Look at all new two way guys, maybe your draft stash guys
Oshae sounds good to me if it’s doable.