After Boston traded for former Philadelphia 76 player Jaden Springer, the owner of the Celtics, Wyc Grousbeck, searched the internet and loved what he saw.
On Sunday afternoon, after the Boston Celtics’ 132-122 victory against the Washington Wizards on NBC Sports Boston, Grousbeck acknowledged that he measured fan emotions on Sixers message boards following Boston’s trade for former Philadelphia 76 player Jaden Springer. He did some reading and came to the conclusion that, in Tomek Kordylewski on X, the Celtics might have discovered a hidden gem, or at the very least, successfully irritated Sixers supporters.
“I glanced at the Philly message boards after we traded for him, and the fans were really extremely upset. They were reluctant to see him depart, according to Grousbeck.
Why are 76ers supporters upset with the Jaden Springer deal to the Celtics?
Just before the trade deadline, Boston acquired Springer for just one second-round selection. Although the 21-year-old guard isn’t very well-known right now, G-League supporters ought to keep him in mind.
Jaden Springer played in more than 40 games with the Delaware Blue Coats, Philly’s G League affiliate, in the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 seasons. He played 16.8 minutes per game, averaging 16.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and two steals throughout that period. In his first year, he shot 47% from the field, and in his second year, he shot 49.3%. He also scored effectively.
Springer’s outstanding performance occurred during the G-League Finals in 2023. Springer recorded an amazing 43 points, nine rebounds, four assists, four blocks, and two steals in Game 1 of the best-of-three series. He was voted the G-League Finals MVP after contributing 21 points and nine rebounds to the Blue Coats’ title victory in the very following game.
It’s understandable why Sixers supporters would be disappointed following such a performance, especially considering that Springer’s return wasn’t particularly significant by today’s standards. Springer participated in 17 games for the C’s, including the opening one last Friday over the Charlotte Hornets. In the 131-98 rout, he recorded 11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals.
The 6-foot-4 guard’s average game time with the Celtics was only 7.6; but, given his defensive ability, he’s a good bench pickup who might see some action during the postseason. Springer may get a chance if Boston plays a team with a skilled shooter or a shifty guard, so don’t be shocked if Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla does so.
The Eastern Conference’s top seed, the Celtics, will not know their first-round opponent until Friday, April 19. Paradoxically, they might face Springer’s former team because Philadelphia is still in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
The 76ers will face the victor of the other Eastern Conference Play-In game between the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks if they lose their game against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. Philadelphia will receive the eighth seed and the opportunity to face the Boston Celtics in the postseason if it prevails in the probable second Play-In game.
Of course, the Sixers would much rather defeat the Heat, stay out of another Play-In game, and go up against the No. 7-seeded New York Knicks. The pre-playoff competition is pretty new, so it’s exciting because you never know how it will turn out. The Heat just made it to the 2023 NBA Finals after narrowly avoiding the Play-In round the previous season.
