With the James Harden story still ongoing, the Philadelphia 76ers could be seeking for further assistance. They could begin relying on athletes like Jaden Springer to fill up the gaps. Despite Springer not having showed much in his first two seasons, Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes detailed why he may be a rotation player.
“The 2021 first-round pick has a long way to go on offense, as evidenced by 28.9 percent he shot from three across 149 career attempts in the G League. That said, he can contribute as a cutter and offensive rebounder, and his defense might be impactful enough to earn him rotation minutes on its own,” Hughes wrote in an October 22 story.
‘”Though still a project, Springer is starting to show more of the skills that will get him on the floor with regularity. And whenever he’s out there, odds are something spectacular will happen.”
During the 2023 NBA Preseason, Springer displayed his incredible athleticism by obstructing Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics.
When the next season begins, Springer’s importance may increase because Harden is unlikely to play for the Sixers again.
Jaden Springer is a reflection of Patrick Beverley
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Jaden Springer’s new teammate Patrick Beverley revealed why he feels compelled to work with Springer because he sees himself in the young guard when he watches him play.
“Just how hard he plays,” Beverley told Sixers Wire’s Ky Carlin on October 16. “He reminds me a lot of myself actually. It’s just about improving in this league. It’s about year after year after year improving, keep building, and since I’m here, I’m gonna make it my duty to make sure he’s on top of his (expletive) every day.”
Despite being one of the more boisterous players in the league, Beverley said he doesn’t get on players’ cases. Instead, he shows them the habits he’s developed to improve.
“I’m not the in the ear type,” Beverley said. “I just kinda lead by how I prepare and attack the game, attack the game plan, and it rubs off on guys. Guys see it, and I guess they adopt the same habits, too.”
Springer could benefit from Beverley’s tutelage if he’s open to it. For all of Beverley’s faults, none of his teammates have had issues with him. Even when he’s teamed up with previous rivals.
Tyrese Maxey Shouts Out Jaden Springer
After the Sixers beat the Atlanta Hawks in their preseason finale, Tyrese Maxey singled out how big Springer had been for the Sixers.
“He’s been huge,” Maxey said on October 20, per Carlin. “I remember the first game, we got out there, and it was me and him at the guard position. He asked me…‘Who you want me to guard?’ I said, ‘What do you mean? I’ve seen you play defense.’ What he brings on the defensive end is special, and now, he’s finally starting to shoot those open 3s that I’ve been asking him to shoot, and he’s been great.”
Springer has left a good impression on Maxey, but he’s not out of the woods. For him to be in the rotation, he’ll have to prove he can shoot during the regular season.
