In making the trade, the Celtics opened up an additional roster spot, which they have since filled with their Feb. 6 addition of veteran wing Torrey Craig. Boston also created a $4 million traded player exception (TPE); however, as a second apron team, a TPE cannot be taken into a new season, and as such, that exception is unlikely to be utilized.

The Houston Rockets made if official on Thursday, acquiring fourth-year guard Jaden Springer from the Boston Celtics along with a pair of second-round picks in 2027 (protected) and 2030 (unprotected).

The Boston Celtics traded guard Jaden Springer to the Houston Rockets, parting ways with the 23-year-old wing defender just a year after acquiring him at last season's trade deadline. The Celtics received a conditional 2031 second-round pick in the deal and will send a 2030 second-round pick and conditional 2027 second-round pick to the Rockets.

Boston Celtics are depending on their usual cast of stars to bring home a second straight title, and inactivity could be major mistake

The Celtics do have limitations in terms of who they can sign on the buyout market. Boston is above the second apron so they aren’t allowed to sign players that were making more than the non-taxpayer midlevel exception ($12.9 million) when they were bought out.

After a fairly quiet NBA trade deadline by the Boston Celtics, the defending champs will now hit the buyout market to fill at least one open roster spot

Klay Thompson scored 25 points and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Boston Celtics 127-120 on Thursday night in their NBA Finals rematch.