PHILADELPHIA — Games like the Sixers’ 147-116 blowout win over the Pistons create opportunities for the team to evaluate players who don’t normally get playing time.
Jaden Springer, who was the No. 28 overall pick in the 2021 draft, hasn’t seen much court time for the Sixers during his sophomore season in the league. However, during the blowout win on Tuesday night, Springer saw nine minutes of action (a season-high), going 4-for-4 from the field on his way to scoring 10 points while adding a steal.
While Springer’s game may seem like a non-story, young prospects proving themselves when they are able to get chunks of minutes like this are key to development. Coach Doc Rivers was impressed with the 20-year-old’s play.
“I think he’s gonna be an elite defender. I really do. I think he’s, he’s naturally physical,” Rivers said of Springer. “You know, he just has a chance to be a good player on the defensive end, and then the offensive part, about his cutting, his rebounding, he does things that he has a chance to be a good player.”
Springer has only seen action in eight contests since coming into the league. The Sixers appear just fine with taking a patient approach to his development, as the front office clearly sees the young wings’ long-term potential.
“I know GMs get killed for talking about upside, but he’s not 19 yet,” Daryl Morey told FortyEightMinutes and other media in Philadelphia immediately after the 2021 draft. “He was already a productive player at Tennessee. We feel good about his ability to be a 3-and-D player in this league, we all know how valuable they are.”
As Springer continues to develop for the Sixers, it’s fair to wonder whether another team may look at him as an obtainable asset ahead of this year’s trade deadline. Morey is never one to sit trade deadlines out and given Springers’ age and the Sixers’ obvious win-now roster setup, it’s logical to assume that he could be part of a trade before February 9. However, The IMG Academy product is someone whom the Sixers clearly value and the team has long searched for upgrades without losing sight of the long-term.
