Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

The Jazz signed Jaden Springer to a long term deal.

Jazz Sign Former First-Rounder To Long-Term Contract

The Utah Jazz are rebuilding and looking for young assets to improve their team’s future. Recently, they signed former first-round pick Jaden Springer to a long-term deal after only four games with the team. This signing indicates that the Jazz believe that he can be a useful piece to their rebuilding team for the near future. A long-term commitment could seem risky, as Springer hasn’t shown a ton in his first few years in the league. Springer suffered an injury in his fifth game with the team which also raises some worry about this new contract. With that being said the lack of guarantees on his contract has the Jazz well protected. 

Jazz Sign Former First-Rounder Jaden Springer To Long-Term Contract

Jaden Springer’s Contract

The Jazz liked what they saw from Springer in just a few games with the team. According to Shams Charania, they signed Springer to a three-year deal this week after signing him to a 10-day contract in February. According to Keith Smith, Springer’s contract details include an extra $100K over the minimum for 2024-25, a likely minimum salary of $2,349,578 for 2025-26, and an expected minimum of $2,667,944 for 2026-27, with all future years non-guaranteed and the final year including a team option.

After seeing only four games of Springer in a Jazz uniform, the team decided to take a chance on him. Springer averaged only 4.2 points, 1.6 assists, and 0.6 steals in just under nine minutes per game in his first few games for the Jazz. Then, in Springer’s first game with a new contract signed, he went down with back spasms. 

Jaden Springer’s Injury

Springer left the Jazz’s recent game against the Detroit Pistons with lower back spasms. Before going down, Springer was on his way to a minutes-high in a Jazz uniform. He didn’t make a shot in the game but did grab three rebounds and notch one assist. This Springer injury came just days after his new contract with the Jazz. 

Back spasms are usually not a major injury. That being said, a 22-year-old dealing with them after a moderate playing load isn’t the best sign. This is the first time he has missed any playing time with a back-related injury. He is now considered day-to-day by the Jazz. 

Springer’s Career So Far

Springer was a first-round pick in the 2021 draft and was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers. He never was able to get consistent minutes with the Sixers but excelled while playing on their G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. Springer earned a Finals MVP there, winning the championship during the 2022-23 G League season. 

After being traded to the Celtics, Springer grabbed another championship, playing a limited role on the 2023-24 championship squad. He played in 17 games for the Celtics last season, averaging 7.6 minutes a game. 

This season he played in 26 games for the Celtics and looked as if he may start to crack their elite rotation. Instead, they traded him in a salary dump at the deadline. Springer averaged 1.7 points per game on 31.6% shooting from deep for the Celtics in 26 games this season. Springer is already scoring at a career-high with the Jazz. Could his career breakthrough be on the horizon?

 

Photo credit: © Rob Gray-Imagn Images

About Jeremy Kruger

"You're not tall enough to make the NBA," they said. They were right. But now Jeremy is doing the next best thing: sharing his passion for basketball with the world through his writing.