After last season, it felt like Sam Hauser’s time in Boston may finally be nearing an end. He didn’t have a great playoff series against the 76ers, and it appeared clear that change was needed, with his $10+ million contract and skill set looking very movable. He was an obvious trade candidate, also because the team had a plethora of young guys at his position waiting in the wings (pun intended).
But as the offseason unfolded, the idea of trading Hauser was pushed more and more to the back burner. There was, of course, the Jaylen Brown blockbuster trade and then free agency, and next thing you know, the summer was winding down, the Celtics were under the luxury tax, and the roster was looking close to a finished product.
Sam survived it all and came into training camp as a bit of a forgotten man. All the hype was around Jayson Tatum as the team’s alpha, the additions of Paul George and Mitchell Robinson, a new contract and a possible leap for Payton Pritchard, and internal development for all of the young guys.
But lo and behold, the season got underway, and Hauser was right back where he always is: playing a key role in the rotation and playing it well. He hasn’t been starting, but he’s clearly still Joe Mazzulla’s most trusted wing, and he has come through for the Celtics in a number of ways.
Of course, there’s the three-point shooting, which is beyond elite. His off-ball movement and spacing are huge, and his deadly quick release works wonders in this offense. On top of that, he doesn’t turn the ball over or make mistakes, and he has beefed up his defense and rebounding.
Celtics are a juggernaut with Hauser on the court
His numbers don’t jump off the page, as he’s averaging just 8.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, but it seems like whenever the Celtics go on a run, Sam is involved. It’s no coincidence that he has a +21.7 net rating this season, with both the offense and defense performing significantly better when he’s on the floor. That net rating is just +3.1 when Hauser sits.
Nothing about his game is super sexy, and if you’re looking for highlights, you’re more likely to get them from Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh, or Baylor Scheierman, but his steadiness is underappreciated, and he has a knack for being in the right spot and making the right play.
He also has a great connection with the team’s best players, as he’s part of their best lineup, and his net rating when on the floor with Tatum is +26.6, with offensive and defensive ratings that would both lead the league by far. He’s never going to make an All-Star team or get the credit he deserves, but Hauser is making a huge impact for the Celtics, and they’ll always have a use for a guy who’s shooting 43.5% from three on high volume and does a little bit of everything.
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