Ranking the Sixers’ young core — 3. Jaden Springer
I will purchase any and all Jaden Springer stock available in the wake of Summer League. The Sixers’ 18-year-old rookie was a mixed bag in Vegas, but such is life when you’re 18 years old. Springer isn’t going to light it up on day one, but he’s a legitimate part of the Sixers’ future — and far more important than many seem to recognize.
Even at 18, Springer has the tools and the skill set necessary to contribute within the next year or two. The Sixers are driving through the dark here. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s a bright one. Springer’s defensive toughness and basketball I.Q. give him a higher floor than ultra-young freshman guards.
On paper, Springer is the perfect foil to Tyrese Maxey in the second unit (or, if we’re looking at the high end of projections, the starting five). He’s only 6-foot-3, but has broad shoulders, long arms, and plays much bigger than his size defensively. Whereas Maxey struggles on defense, Springer is already an airtight presence.
Offensively, Springer is best as the off-guard, making connective passes, hitting spot-up 3s, and doing the little things to make the offense flourish. Maxey is already an elite source of rim pressure, and can open up avenues for Springer to attack the lane with his signature straight-line drives. Springer needs to get the 3-pointer tightened up, but assuming he reaches that point, he and Maxey should get along swimmingly.
Springer never should have dropped to No. 28 on draft night. Not every first-round pick hits, but I’m fairly confident Springer will. He’s better than he’s getting credit for.