When losing in embarrassing fashion for the second consecutive season, teams typically try like hell to improve themselves as much as possible. The Boston Celtics did just that this offseason (whether it was for the best is debatable), but there was plenty of anticipation that it would come at the cost of Sam Hauser beforehand. However, their recent moves suggest Hauser is sticking around.
These moves include the money they saved from trading Jaylen for Paul George - the key detail being that the latter waived his trade kicker - and then they waived Dalano Banton, bringing them below the luxury tax, which puts them in a good position to avoid the repeater tax, which provides some long-term benefits. It's clear from their moves that that was their goal.
Beforehand, it was both feasible and sensible to trade Hauser for an upgrade, but staying good while remaining under the tax had some understandable appeal. Maybe Boston will try to do this if the opportunity presents itself, but there hasn't been any intel or rumors suggesting they are. With them under the tax, their three-point sniper's spot on the roster is safe for now, at least.
Don't make trades you don't have to
Yes, it's true that I advocated multiple times for Boston to trade Hauser this summer, but I also made it clear that they should only do so if they got someone better than him or if he was included in a package deal to get another star on the roster. Maybe that will be on the table, but not now.
Hauser's contract is team-friendly, he's one of the best sharpshooters in the NBA, and he's been one of Boston's best development stories in this decade (and there have been quite a few of them). There's no reason to part ways with someone like that unless you know it's best for the team long-term.
It became clear from this season that Hauser's services are best served in the second unit rather than with the starters. Not because he can't start in the NBA, but because his sharpshooting gives their second unit a major lift. Boston has an impressive rotation of wings, but not many of them have the sharpshooting capabilities that Hauser does.
The Celtics can obviously survive without him, but they'd be better served with him on the roster than without him. And luckily, on paper, he should be going back to his bread and butter when they have him come off the bench this season.
Boston could certainly use an upgrade, but until one hits the market, they have every reason to keep Hauser.
Add us as a preferred source on Google