The Boston Celtics should be very proud of themselves for how they've started this season. Mazzulla-Ball has been put into full effect, and it still feels as though they haven't reached their ceiling yet. That's the beauty of the start to this season: even if it couldn't have gone better, it still feels as though there's another level Boston could realistically reach.
Among the reasons why they have started so well has been Sam Hauser's impact. Hauser hasn't necessarily leveled up this season as a player, but he has proven himself to be an even better fit for the team than ever before. It's not that he's gotten better, but that he's done everything Boston has asked of him on both sides.
Hauser's calling card is his three-ball, but because he's an underrated defender, his abilities as a two-way player go virtually unnoticed. We can glaze Hauser all day, but all of this is to say that while Hauser is a role player, his impact and fit for the team are undeniable to the point that it wouldn't be worth trading him for a talent upgrade.
Hauser shouldn't be going anywhere
Following intel that the Orlando Magic may trade Anthony Black, an idea came up for Boston to swap Hauser and draft capital for Black. Black is an excellent basketball player - better than Hauser when comparing them individually - and could be a good fit for what Boston wants to do, but trading
We have seen that basketball is just as much about fit as it is about talent. In fact, when someone fits in as perfectly as Hauser does with this team, there's a solid case to be made that he is among their most untouchable players.
The argument is not that Hauser is a better player than Black, but rather that Boston risks getting rid of someone who has proven how perfectly he fits with the team for someone who might not fit nearly as well despite their talent.
Sometimes talent upgrades aren't worth it. We have seen this because, while the player acquired may be more talented, the team loses a player(s) whose loss offsets the talent influx they just got. It's a case of subtraction by addition.
Now, if the Celtics could get someone like Black without giving up Hauser in the process (it's doable), that's a scenario they should entertain. However, Hauser has proven himself to be way too good and is more or less irreplaceable in the Celtics' rotation. Unless Boston gets someone who does all that Hauser does, only better, he's absolutely staying where he is.
Add us as a preferred source on Google