NBA Trade Rumors: Celtics, Jaden Springer, Nets, Cam Johnson, Hornets

Our ongoing series evaluating rosters and potential moves ahead of the NBA trade deadline (Feb. 6) …

Boston Celtics

The Celtics have one of the deepest rosters in the league, with eight players averaging more than 22 minutes per game. But with an expiring $4 million contract for Jaden Springer and one open roster spot, Boston has options for potential trades.

The Celtics could use Springer’s contract in a deal for another rotational player or pair it with draft assets to save $16 million in salary. They are also positioned to be aggressive in the trade market with their wealth of draft picks (three tradable first-round picks over the next seven years) and several potential free agents this summer (Springer, Al Horford, Luke Kornet).

Key players like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White are locked in, but the Celtics will need to make decisions about players with expiring contracts or those who can provide trade flexibility.

Boston’s financial situation is complicated, as they are $25.7 million over the luxury tax, with a projected $65.6 million tax bill. However, they are in a good position to trade using exceptions and their deep roster for future assets.

Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn’s trade situation is in flux after sending veteran guard Dennis Schroder to the Warriors. The team now faces crucial decisions regarding the futures of players like Dorian Finney-Smith, Ben Simmons, and Cameron Johnson.

Simmons is on a $40.3 million expiring contract, while Johnson, a key piece in the team’s retooling, could be moved for additional assets if necessary.

Brooklyn has one of the richest draft war chests in the league, with 15 first-round picks over the next seven years, and 13 second-round picks available for trade.

Despite their substantial draft capital, the Nets are currently in rebuilding mode and may continue to strip down the roster for future assets.

Players like Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Cam Thomas could all be moved, with trade value depending on how they perform in the next few months.

Brooklyn’s financial situation is stable, $3.5 million under the tax and with plenty of trade exceptions to facilitate moves. The big question for the Nets is whether they will double down on their rebuilding process or accelerate their retooling efforts.

Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte’s situation is more ambiguous. Under new coach Charles Lee, the Hornets are balancing the development of young talent with the possibility of moving veterans like Cody Martin, Josh Green, and Seth Curry for future assets.

Players to watch leading up to the trade deadline, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, are Tre Mann, who has impressed as a scoring threat despite a back injury, and Mark Williams, who has flashed promise in his limited career.

While Mann could see his value increase if he becomes a reliable contributor, Williams has yet to prove himself as a long-term option due to his injury history.

Charlotte has valuable trade assets in Green, Vasilije Micic, and Mann, all of whom could be moved for future pieces. They also have significant flexibility with controllable contracts like LaMelo Ball, Grant Williams, and Brandon Miller.

The Hornets have some maneuverability in the NBA Draft, with multiple future first-round picks, but they are also in a position to clear cap space and potentially build a contender around their young core.

Financially, they are under the luxury tax and have a $6.1 million disabled player exception to add a piece before the trade deadline. The big question for Charlotte is whether they will continue to develop their young roster or lean into asset accumulation for the future.