With the NBA trade deadline just two days away on February 5, 2026, the Boston Celtics are once again in the spotlight for potential roster tweaks. Despite parting ways with key veterans like Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porziņģis, and Al Horford in recent offseasons—and with Jayson Tatum still recovering from Achilles surgery—the Celtics sit firmly in the hunt for a top-two seed in the East, showcasing their trademark resilience and depth. Amid this success, forward Sam Hauser has emerged as one of the most frequently mentioned names in trade speculation, alongside guard Anfernee Simons.
The latest buzz comes from The Athletic’s Law Murray, who dropped his trade targets for all 30 teams on Monday. In his breakdown for the San Antonio Spurs, Murray floated an intriguing swap: sending Jeremy Sochan to Boston in exchange for Hauser, with San Antonio likely attaching some outgoing draft picks to balance the deal.
“You can never have too much shooting,” Murray wrote, highlighting the Spurs’ ongoing question marks at power forward—whether sticking with Sochan, relying on starter Harrison Barnes, or exploring other options. “I have a Jeremy Sochan for Hauser swap here; I’m sure there would be some outgoing picks from San Antonio to complete a deal like this. Just keep an eye on the power forward spot for the Spurs.”
This proposal isn’t out of left field. Hauser, the 6’7″ sharpshooter, has been a reliable floor-spacer for Boston since joining the team. In the 2025-26 season so far (through 48 games), he’s averaging around 9.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 23.8 minutes per game, shooting a solid 41.1% from the field and an impressive 39.4% from three on high volume (6.6 attempts per game). He’s been particularly hot lately—over his last eight outings, reports peg him at 16.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 4.3 threes in nearly 29 minutes. His contract (first year of a four-year, $44-45 million extension) makes him a movable piece for salary management, especially as Boston navigates luxury tax implications while staying competitive.
On the flip side, Jeremy Sochan—the Spurs’ No. 9 overall pick in 2022—has struggled to find consistency this season. Limited to just 27 of San Antonio’s first 49 games, he’s averaging a modest 4.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assist in only 13.1 minutes off the bench. He’s dealing with a quad injury that’s sidelined him for the last four games, and his shooting splits have dipped (around 48% FG but just 25.7% from three in limited action). After a strong rookie year (11.0 PPG, All-Rookie honors) and a career-high 11.6 PPG in 2023-24, his role has shrunk amid the Spurs’ youth movement around Victor Wembanyama.
For the Celtics, adding Sochan could bring intriguing upside. At 22, he’s a versatile forward with defensive tools, playmaking flashes (career 2.6 APG), and positional size—potentially fitting seamlessly into Joe Mazzulla’s adaptive, positionless schemes. Murray called him an “intriguing fit” for Boston, especially as an activity forward on a more team-friendly deal. If the trade happens, it would also reunite Hauser with former Celtics big man Luke Kornet, who signed a four-year, $41 million deal with the Spurs as a 30-year-old veteran.
From San Antonio’s perspective, acquiring Hauser addresses their need for reliable shooting—something Murray emphasized you “can never have too much” of—while potentially freeing up minutes or roles elsewhere. The Spurs might sweeten the pot with picks to make salaries match and add value, given Sochan’s higher draft pedigree but recent dip.
Is this realistic? It’s speculative, but it aligns with broader deadline chatter. Boston has been linked to various moves for depth or financial flexibility, with Simons (on an expiring $27.7 million deal) often seen as the bigger trade chip. Hauser, while productive, could be expendable if the right upgrade arrives. The Celtics’ core remains connected and contending, so any shake-up would likely be calculated—not desperate.
As Thursday approaches, expect more smoke around these names. A straight-up swap feels light on paper (salaries might need fillers or picks), but in a market hungry for shooting and youth, it’s the kind of creative idea that could gain traction. For Celtics fans, it would mean trading a proven sniper for a high-upside defender with question marks; for Spurs supporters, it’s betting on shooting to complement their young core.
The deadline drama is heating up—what do you think of this potential swap? Could Sochan thrive in Boston’s system, or is Hauser too valuable to move right now? Drop your takes below!