Because the Boston Celtics were looking to cut more costs this summer, Sam Hauser became a plausible trade candidate this summer. It wasn't because Hauser is overpaid, washed up, or because of his limitations. It was simply because Brad Stevens had to play the game.
Once the Jaylen Brown trade happened, that was off the table. However, that doesn't necessarily mean Hauser will be out of trade rumors for long. While Hauser has proven himself a dependable contributor to the Celtics from Day 1, it's also clear that he has reached his peak. He's an elite three-point shooter who can hold his ground on defense.
No one should nor does anyone have a problem with that. It's just that the Celtics have four younger players who play the same position as Hauser with more promise who are expected to have a bigger role this season after the Brown trade: Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, Ron Harper Jr., and Jordan Walsh.
All four of these players played a hand in why Boston was as good as they were. Even more impressive is that despite all playing the same position, there was no overlap between the four of them. All of them got to stand in their own way at different times.
The fact that Boston refused to trade Gonzalez or Scheierman in their trade talks for Giannis Antetokounmpo, then re-signed Harper and Walsh on long-term, team-friendly extensions demonstrates Boston's faith in all of them.
If they reward them on that faith, it could lead to Hauser being on the trade market.
If they sprout, Hauser might be out
If all the aforementioned wings take a step forward, which they should definitely have the chance to with Brown gone and Paul George likely to miss time, that could give the Celtics ample reason to part ways with Hauser. Especially if one or more of them prove to be a consistently elite three-point shooter.
That being said, there's no need to trade Hauser just because. If these four ultimately make Hauser expendable, it would either be in a trade for an upgrade or for someone who addresses a position of need. Hauser is still a quality asset no matter what happens with those wings.
There's also no guarantee that this happens. That's why having Hauser around is arguably even more convenient. If these four don't make the progress Boston hopes for, Hauser is a good failsafe. There's a reason why he makes sense as a starter for when the Celtics inevitably rest George this season.
Boston has good reason to keep Hauser period. He's a good soldier who has done everything they asked him to do. It's only hypotheticals like these that would make a Hauser trade make sense. Until it's clear that those four are better options than Hauser, he should stay put.
For how long is the question.
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