Just before the expiration of the trade deadline, Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics made a series of moves, acquiring Jaden Springer for a second-round pick and shipping Dalano Banton to the Portland Trail Blazers for a heavily protected second-round pick.
Springer, a former first-round pick in the 2021 NBA draft, has appeared in 32 games this season for the 76ers, playing a reserve role, averaging 4.0 points, 1.1 assists, and 1.8 rebounds per game. He’ll likely have a similar role in Boston as the Celtics were seeking a player that didn’t necessarily have to play.
Like Xavier Tillman, Springer is a terrific defender. Springer will go into the $6.2M Grant Williams Trade Exception and provides the wing depth Stevens and the Celtics were looking for. The 21-year-old will hit restricted free agency heading into the 2025 offseason.
Banton, who signed with the Celtics over the offseason, heads to Portland after just 24 games in green. The Ontario, Canada native averaged 2.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.8 assists. The pick is a 2027 top-55 protected selection.
Following Banton’s departure, the Celtics retain an open roster spot, allowing them the flexibility to add talent via the buyout market potentially, should they choose to do so.
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