Celtics Trading Sam Hauser? ‘No One Should Be Shocked’

The Boston Celtics might not be done trading away players from the 2024 title team.

The gloomy second apron has already forced president of basketball operations Brad Stevens to move Kristaps Porzingis (Atlanta Hawks) and Jrue Holiday (Portland Trail Blazers). Sharpshooting wing Sam Hauser could be next, according to a new report from The Ringer’s Michael Pina.

“Boston is still in the second apron and about $20 million over the luxury tax, but, regardless of what Brad Stevens has said, it would be a true stunner if it didn’t shed more money during the season to dodge repeater tax penalties,” Pina wrote. “The likely casualties are Anfernee Simons and Georges Niang, but no one should be shocked if/when Sam Hauser gets traded.”

Hauser, 27, is entering the first year of a four-year, $45 million extension he signed with Boston last July. The deal pays Hauser $10 million this season and increases each year ($12.5 million in 2028-29). Hauser is the highest-paid player remaining from Boston’s 2024 championship season not named Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, or Derrick White.

The three-point specialist and underrated defender has averaged 14.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per 36 minutes for Boston in his career, which has spanned four seasons (256 regular season games, 40 starts). Hauser is expected to see an increased role on a diminished Celtics depth chart in 2025-26. He averaged 21.7 minutes per game last season for head coach Joe Mazzulla.

Hauser shot 41.6 percent from three-point range in 2024-25. He’s a valuable asset who would enhance virtually any NBA roster. 

Stevens wouldn’t have a difficult time finding suitors for Hauser if and when a trade became a priority.