Sam Hauser has displayed he is capable of a larger role with Celtics

Given the way the roster has changed this offseason, wing/guard Sam Hauser is going to receive career-high minutes on the floor with the Boston Celtics. 

Since joining the Boston Celtics as an undrafted free agent, Sam Hauser has been a pleasant surprise for everyone in the organization. Many thought his lack of lateral quickness, and defensive issues would cost him a solid career in the association. As time passed, he proved a lot of critics wrong. With what is projected to be a career-high in minutes next season, the former Virginia wing is going to be tested like never before as a professional.

He was put in isolation at the fourth-highest frequency of any qualified player during the 2022-2023 regular season and held his own for the most part. No. 30 allowed just 0.92 points per possession which was better than Jaylen Brown, Malcolm Brogdon, Al Horford, and the already departed Grant Williams. He gave up just one point per possession when defending in the post last season, a much lower number than Tatum, and Marcus Smart in those scenarios.

During the time in which Boston gave him an opportunity in the Vegas Summer League, the team in green and white where in desperate search of some shooting to surround Jayson Tatum and Brown with. Aaron Nesmith, who was considered the best shooter in the 2020 NBA Draft struggled in his rookie year, so the Boston Celtics gave Hauser a shot.

The former Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year has bloomed into one of the most reliable shooters on Joe Mazzulla’s roster. With over 335 three-point attempts, Hauser shot over 41% from beyond the arc this last year. Horford and the Wisconsin native were the only two players on the Boston Celtics roster to shoot over 40% from the great beyond on 300 or more tries. In February 2023, No. 30 made 27 3-pointers, more than his new teammate Kristaps Porzingis, and Memphis Grizzlies star Desmond Bane over that stretch.

Currently, looking at the rotation, Hauser is most likely the first wing off the bench, ahead of newcomer Oshae Brissett and rookie Jordan Walsh. Stevens is still reportedly searching for some more wing depth, but either way, it is evident the entire franchise values Hauser. He contributed just over 100 minutes in the last postseason, but given the new CBA, players on contracts like Hauser are going to be asked to do a lot more. The positive aspect of the situation that Hauser is in is the fact that he is not going to be asked to do anything he can’t do. It is not about heavy lifting. The wing simply needs to find space on the perimeter to create an outlet for his teammates to penetrate while not being a minus on the defensive end. So far, he has shown at an NBA level that he can do that.

All signs point to Sam Hauser continuing to grow into a player the Boston Celtics can rely on even more

Williams, in what was his final campaign in green and white played nearly 26 minutes per game. While there is still no knowing how many minutes Hauser will be given, but is could be around the number “Batman” received last season. While they may seem a little high, this new coaching staff in place in Boston has the ability to take the 25-year-old’s game to new heights.

Between 20-24 minutes per game is the most probable projection for the third-year wing. Either way, No. 30’s outings are going to be much more prolonged on average in 2023-2024. From what we have seen, his defense has been effective enough to keep him on the floor in addition to his elite shooting stroke.