There's a lot going on for the Boston Celtics right now. They missed out on Giannis Antetokounmpo, and now there's growing sentiment that Jaylen Brown might be out of there in due time. Two of the Celtics' offseason plotlines could merge into one this summer: a potential Sam Hauser trade and Boston's need for a big man.
Hauser is a bit of an X-factor this offseason because his contract can either be included in a bigger blockbuster trade or can be used to facilitate a trade that would allow Boston to utilize the Anfernee Simons TPE.
Sports Illustrated's Alex Golden outlined a trade that would do just that between the Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, in which the following would happen.
Celtics get: Myles Turner, 2033 second-round swap
Bucks get: Hauser
This trade allow Boston to absorb Turner into the Ant TPE, though it would hard cap them into the NBA's first tax apron, which would complicate a Jaylen Brown trade. Golden explained why Boston would still pull the trigger.
"Boston would find a much needed upgrade at the five spot, and someone that is the complete opposite of last year's starter, Neimas Queta. This move makes a ton of sense for both sides, unless Boston wants to do more with their Traded Player Exception," Golden wrote.
Turner has been brought up ad nauseam since the Celtics' season ended. He is coming off a bad season and is owed a lot of money over the next three years. Hauser's on a three-year deal, but no one complains about him. Should the Celtics really bail the Bucks out of a problem they created?
More importantly, is Turner really the answer? The Celtics' mindset is about getting back on track to win another title. Turner may help more in the playoffs, but whether he elevates Boston to potentially winning Banner 19 is questionable.
If the Bucks attached one or more of their freshly acquired assets to get off Turner's deal, maybe Boston would do this, but that much money for someone who is arguably a slight upgrade on Queta might not be worth it.
Expect Hauser & Turner Celtics rumors going forward
Turner has been floated (not reported) as a potential target for Boston not too long back. With Giannis out of Milwaukee, don't be surprised if he gets named in trade rumors. Whether he gets linked to the Celtics - we must remember that they stubbornly passed on the chance to get him six years ago - will remain to be seen.
As for Hauser, it would honestly be a shock if he was traded in a one-for-one, but expect him to be in trade rumors. Especially if these Brown rumors are legit. It's more likely go in a one-for-one if Boston has exhausted all its options. Unlike Milwaukee, they're not going through a blowup, so they don't have to move Hauser if they don't want to.
They may not be linked to each other, but this could quite an epic offseason for Boston, so don't be surprised if these two get mentioned more often than not in the rumor mill.
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