The Boston Celtics suffered a mass exodus this offseason. While departures were largely expected, the extent of the talent drain was more dramatic than the fan base saw coming. Even though most of these moves were necessary due to second-apron restrictions, one has to wonder whether the Celtics chose the right players to move on from. This is worth considering, especially after looking at Boston's center rotation of Neemias Queta, Xavier Tillman, and Luka Garza.
This is the result of Boston's inability to retain Luke Kornet and Al Horford. Despite reported interest in re-signing both free agents, the Celtics were priced out in negotiations as Kornet signed a four-year, $41 million deal with the Spurs, and Horford is set to sign with a Western Conference contender.
If the Celtics knew that they would have a depleted frontcourt rotation, GM Brad Stevens likely would have considered opening up more cap space to bring back one of Kornet or Horford. This would have required trading Sam Hauser and his four-year, $45 million contract.
Celtics Should Have Traded Sam Hauser to Open Up Cap Space to Sign Center
Especially after the Celtics acquired Georges Niang in the Kristaps Porzingis trade, Hauser has become more expendable. Hauser is a better player than Niang, to be sure, but the latter is cheaper, on an expiring contract, and can do a lot of the things that Hauser does.
Plus, Hauser would presumably have a market as an elite shooter with size. The Celtics could have found a team to take him on, even one that would have given up assets to acquire him. This would have opened up additional cap space for the Celtics to either re-sign Kornet or sign a free-agent center for a deal above the minimum.
The Celtics still have a chance to make this move, but their center options will be more limited, and there are fewer teams with cap space who can just take Hauser. Whether Boston ends up regretting the decision to have both Niang and Hauser on the roster while having no competent big men remains to be seen.