Jaden Springer Embraced Assignment to 76ers’ G League Squad
For the first time during the 2023-2024 NBA season, the Philadelphia 76ers sent Jaden Springer down to the G League this past weekend. While veterans across the league might view G League assignments in a negative light if the move doesn’t have anything to do with a return-from-injury process, Springer embraced the opportunity last Saturday.
“It was pretty cool,” Springer said on Monday night, following the Sixers’ win over the Washington Wizards. “The coaches feel like I should go to the G League to get back into things. So that was pretty cool.”
In late November, Springer suited up for the Sixers’ Saturday night matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Just a few minutes into the matchup, he was ruled out due to an illness. For the next two games, Springer went inactive.
Although he was cleared for action ahead of the team’s matchup against the Boston Celtics on December 1, Springer didn’t play. The trend continued for the matchups against the Wizards and the Atlanta Hawks. After Springer collected a DNP last Friday against Atlanta, Nick Nurse and the Sixers decided to assign Springer to the G League for the Delaware Blue Coats’ Saturday night game against the Greensboro Swarm, the affiliate of the Charlotte Hornets.
“We play pickup every day in practice and stuff, but there’s nothing like playing in an actual game,” Springer explained.
The Sixers’ decision to assign Springer to Delaware was not necessarily a demotion. Being that his last set of game action took place on November 25 prior to the matchup on Saturday, favorable scheduling offered Springer an opportunity to compete in Delaware with several of his 76ers assistants watching.
“I’m feeling good… I’ve got my wind back,” Springer noted. “I feel like everything is going smooth.”
Springer collected 23 minutes of action with the Blue Coats. During that time, he put up 14 shots from the field, knocking down 50 percent of his attempts successfully. Springer produced 19 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal in the Blue Coats’ blowout win over Greensboro.
Shortly after the game wrapped up, the Sixers recalled Springer. The following afternoon, Nick Nurse made it clear that there won’t be a trend of Springer bouncing back and forth, resembling his sophomore effort with the organization.
Back on the Sixers’ bench for their 146-101 win over Washington on Monday night, Springer benefitted from the blowout win as he collected nine minutes of action late in the matchup. He wrapped up the game with six points and two steals.
While his role in Philadelphia remains uncertain, Springer will stick around the Sixers as a reserve moving forward, watching the team he won a G League title with from afar.
“[Mike Longabardi’s] a great coach, got a great group of guys,” Springer said of the Blue Coats. “I’m hoping to see some big things from them. It was fun being around there, seeing the energy, and seeing how close the team is — it was pretty cool.”
