Jaden Springer knows how quickly an NBA player’s life can change during trade deadline season. Last February, the young guard was shipped from Philadelphia to Boston and wound up earning a championship ring.

A year later, Springer again could find himself on the move. The 22-year-old has been mentioned in trade rumors ahead of next week’s Feb. 6 deadline, as his $4 million salary and comparatively minor role make him the Celtics’ most likely trade candidate.

He hopes it doesn’t come to that. Speaking with the Herald at Wednesday’s morning shootaround, Springer said he’d love to remain in Boston, though he acknowledged that decision is out of his hands.

“Of course. I love this team, man,” he said. “I got a championship with these guys. Great group of guys. But whatever happens, happens, and I’m grateful for whatever comes.”

The veteran-laden Celtics are well over the second apron of the NBA’s luxury tax, which limits their roster management options and carries heavy financial penalties. Second-apron teams can’t, for example, aggregate salaries or send out cash in trades, or sign in-season buyout players who make more than the mid-level exception. They’re also subject to luxury tax sanctions equaling close to four dollars for every one dollar of salary, meaning rostering a player like Springer actually is costing the Celtics roughly $20 million.

Trading Springer would allow the Celtics to either wipe that money off their books ahead of what’s projected to be an exorbitantly expensive 2025-26 season for Boston, or acquire a cheap veteran who can fill a need like wing depth or off-the-bench scoring.

Though he was viewed as possible trade bait as far back as the summer, Springer said he hasn’t paid much attention to the pre-deadline speculation about his future.

“I’m not in the media too much, so I just stay where my feet are at,” Springer, who is set to become a restricted free agent this offseason, told the Herald. “I’m working out every day with my guys, and I enjoy my time here. I like being here, so I’m happy. Whatever happens, I guess it’s meant to be, but right now, I’m with my guys. We’re competing, playing good, having fun, so that’s all I’m worried about.”

Springer has given both the Celtics and potential suitors plenty to consider of late, delivering some of his best performances in a Boston uniform during the lead-up to deadline day. He grabbed four steals, helped erase a red-hot Kevin Porter Jr. and hit two clutch 3-pointers in last Wednesday’s overtime win over the Los Angeles Clippers, went 4-for-5 from the field the next night in a blowout loss to the Lakers; and was a plus-11 Monday night against Houston, logging seven meaningful minutes in a game Boston lost by two at the buzzer.

Known as a talented defensive player with glaring offensive concerns, Springer was an impact player on both ends in those three appearances, most notably going 5-for-11 from 3-point range after failing to hit a single three in his first 19 outings. His 21 total points surpassed his previous season-long total (20), and the games featured three of his six highest minute totals of the 2024-25 campaign.

Springer said his perimeter shooting — a must-have for nearly every player in Mazzulla’s offensive scheme — is “something (he’s) been working on a lot.”

“And I feel like the best thing that’s going to happen (will) just come with reps,” said Springer, a 25.0% career 3-point shooter. “The more I shoot, the more opportunity I have to get better. So I feel like just going out there and just trusting in my work is going to be the best thing I can do.”

Before last week, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla rarely utilized Springer outside of garbage time or select end-of-quarter scenarios, during which his assignment was to prevent a long-range buzzer-beater. Springer still is unlikely to see consistent playing time when the Celtics — who were missing multiple rotation players in the Clippers and Rockets games — have their full roster available, but his recent contributions could earn him a larger role moving forward.

Or, they could entice another team to acquire him, potentially without the need for the Celtics to attach a draft pick to offload his salary.

“It’s fun, you know, to go out there, compete and help my team in any way possible,” Springer said. “I enjoy any time I get on the court — offseason, end of the game, couple seconds. I just like playing basketball. I like going out there, putting my jersey on and just going and competing, you know? So the minutes I’m getting now, it’s been great. I’m thankful for the team for trusting in me, and I’m thankful to my teammates.”