The Boston Celtics appear done making moves for the time being, shaking up their core. Al Horford still is mulling retirement or a change of scenery, while Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis have been traded away to avoid the dreaded second apron. Add in the fact that Jayson Tatum is out for an unknown amount of time due to a torn Achilles, and there is a lot of expectation that the 2025-26 season is going to be a lost year.
Unless newly added pieces step up or Jaylen Brown proves himself capable of taking the next step into superstardom, it is hard to see a way out of the play-in or missing the playoffs completely. One important piece of this puzzle is Sam Hauser, who is suddenly far more valuable to Boston's roster due to the loss of key wings.
Hauser is just starting a four-year $45 million contract that could easily become expendable if the season goes poorly. Whether or not Hauser is on the trade block will have much to do with whether or not there is further development. If there isn't a leap in production, and the Celtics aren't contenders in the Eastern Conference, it makes sense to keep Hauser on the trade market.
Celtics Forward Sam Hauser Remains a Possible Trade Chip
Why the Celtics must keep Hauser on the trade market has much to do with a contract that hasn't aged quite as well as expected. What the deal does provide is a unique path to getting a deal done if Boston finds a way to improve or needs to shed further salary in a rebuilding year. The point remains that no matter the path Boston chooses, Hauser's future is going to be in question.
The only way this changes is if Hauser starts the year on the roster and gets off to an incredibly hot start. Otherwise, the potential deals and options of pairing Hauser to get a bigger deal done make far too much sense. Add in the fact that this could already be a lost season, and moving on from the shooter makes sense if the right deal presents itself.
With that said, the front office has done an incredible job of digging out of a difficult cap situation and leaving Boston's options open. The team can move in any direction based on the early results of the season and who is struggling. As frustrating as it was to see the Celtics' championship core broken apart, it was an understandable series of moves that might not be done just yet.