Last February, the Philadelphia 76ers traded former 28th overall pick Jaden Springer to the Celtics in exchange for a 2024 second-round draft pick. The move was a surprise to fans at the time as Springer was just starting to crack the rotation and make an impact in Philly.
However, since getting shipped to Boston, Springer has only appeared in 36 games for the club, averaging just 1.5 points per game on 38 percent shooting to go along with 0.9 rebounds and 0.4 assists in his limited minutes. These numbers are down from his averages in Philadelphia where he put up 3.4 points per game on 42 percent shooting from the field.
As far as the second round pick that went their way goes, the 76ers ended up picking Adem Bona with the 41st pick. He has recently made a big impact at the center position with nagging injuries to Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond, averaging 2.7 points per game while shooting an impressive 72 percent from the field and providing the 76ers with size in an otherwise small rotation.
While these numbers seem minor on the surface, he has played much better and is having a bigger impact in the absences of Embiid and Drummond. His best performance so far this season came against the Pacers on January 18th when he posted 12 points, six boards, and an assist in 19 minutes of action.
The Philadelphia 76ers did the right thing by trading Jaden Springer
Springer was seen as a developmental piece to a 76ers team that (at the time he was drafted) had Tyrese Maxey, Ben Simmons, Matisse Thybulle, and Seth Curry in the rotation at the guard positions. Even after the team parted ways with Simmons and Curry and added James Harden during his rookie year, he still did not receive valuable minutes as the team was clearly playing the long game with his progress and development.
In this trade, the 76ers went on to receive a promising frontcourt piece in Adem Bona and Springer became an NBA champion as a member of the 2024 Celtics squad. He will also have the chance to learn from All-Stars Jalen Brown, Jrue Holiday, and Jason Tatum as part of one of the most talented teams in the league, which should do wonders for his progression.
Almost a year later, it is clear that the Philadelphia 76ers made the right decision in parting with their once promising young guard. While Jaden Springer could still turn things around, Adem Bona was a hell of an addition for the team with the 41st pick they got from Boston.