‘Unwise’ for Boston Celtics to rely on role player’s hot stretches
According to Boston.com’s Tom Westerholm, it’d be “unwise” for the Boston Celtics to rely on the hot stretches of Sam Hauser — who nearly just as often will suffer through cold stretches too, including during the C’s 126-107 win over the Washington Wizards on October 30 from the nation’s capital.
“At this stage, it seems safe to say Sam Hauser might be the kind of sharp-shooter who makes 40 percent of his threes because he shoots 60 percent for a few weeks followed by 20 percent for a few more,” Westerholm prefaced before saying, “Right now, Hauser appears to be mired in one of his 20-percent stretches, but he did knock down two late in the fourth quarter after starting the game 0-for-6. He finished 2-for-9.
“During Hauser’s hot stretches this year, the Celtics are going to be borderline unstoppable. Relying on those hot stretches, however, seems unwise.”
Sam Hauser could be replaced by the Boston Celtics on buyout market
Hauser has a club option during the 2024-25 season, meaning that any team that trades for him could see him as an expiring contract. That makes him a prime trade candidate at the deadline to a team with a similar contract that the Cs would give up a pick to land. After landing with his new team, he could end up on the buyout market.
Other shooting wings will be in that boat as well, so come March, we could see the Boston Celtics look to the buyout market to replace Hauser; who has struggled to solidify a role in the rotation despite several opportunities in the past few years.
If Joe Harris continues to languish on the Detroit Pistons’ bench and the intriguing potential of the Motor City’s young franchise isn’t reached, he could be a potential Hauser replacement. Doug McDermott could become available too if the San Antonio Spurs struggle in Victor Wembanyama’s rookie season.
Whoever the Cs seek to fill the void Hauser doesn’t during his cold streaks could end up being a veteran with a longer-lasting track record of success.
Maybe these early-season on-and-off trends could lead to something better down the line.