It's still hard to fully grasp that the Boston Celtics traded Jaylen Brown. They did so believing it was for the greater good, though what that means exactly isn't easy to tell. If the Celtics are operating with the future in mind, Sam Hauser might be the next to go.
Yes, we've brought this up quite a few times already, but typically Hauser has only been mentioned in hypothetical trades to get Boston an upgrade. The Celtics have made their moves: adding Paul George, Mitchell Robinson, and Mike Conley Jr. Making these moves could make them an even better team than last year, as ridiculous as that may sound after what they've done.
However, their moves also put them over the tax, but only slightly. Because being under the tax next season gives Boston the chance to become big spenders next offseason, which would give them the chance to salvage this era of basketball for them.
No one's pushing Hauser out of Boston, but there is a rationale for why the Celtics would get rid of him. For that same reason, no one would be upset if they kept him too, but Boston's roster construction would also be able to withstand it.
Paul George makes Sam Hauser expendable
What has made Hauser so valuable besides the fact that he's a sniper is that he is a sniper with size. Having a wing who can stretch the floor and can hold his own on that side of the floor is a valuable cog, even if it's become clear he's best suited as a specialist than as a starter.
However, George has the same build, is a better defender, is so much better as a ballhandler that it's kind of laughable, and has the same capabilities as Hauser does as a sharpshooter. Even if his All-Star days are long gone, he still is a highly impactful player despite his limitations.
If Hauser gets traded, part of why Boston would justify it would be because George makes him more expendable on top of the potential benefits of being under the tax again next summer.
It's possible the Celtics may not look into dealing Hauser until the next calendar year. There isn't much urgency to do this because they have done something like that before. Remember when Anfernee Simons was in trade rumors from pretty much the get-go once Boston acquired him?
The Celtics finally did it because they could afford to wait until team situations changed. Even if Hauser makes sense as a trade candidate because of what doors it would open up, the Celtics can afford to wait.
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