The Boston Celtics are at a crossroads this offseason, facing a looming financial decision that could shake up their roster. To avoid the hefty penalties associated with the NBA’s second apron luxury tax, the team needs to shed at least $20 million in salary. This harsh reality has ignited trade rumors, with veteran sharpshooter Sam Hauser emerging as a prime candidate to be moved. But why Hauser, and where could he realistically land? Let’s dive deep into the Celtics’ dilemma and explore the potential destinations for this elite 3-point specialist.
The Financial Tightrope Walk for Boston: The NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) has introduced stricter luxury tax penalties, particularly for teams exceeding the “second apron.” The Celtics, with a projected payroll far exceeding this threshold (currently over $227 million against a projected second apron of $207.8 million for 2025-26), are in a tough spot. Staying above this line brings severe restrictions, including limitations on trade exceptions, mid-level exceptions, and even future draft picks. This forces difficult decisions, and as Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated noted, Sam Hauser is considered “most likely” to be traded to help Boston get under this cap.
Sam Hauser’s Value Proposition: Despite his potential availability, Sam Hauser isn’t just any expendable player. He’s proven himself as one of the league’s premier 3-point shooters, boasting an impressive 42% clip from deep since the 2022-23 season among players with at least 500 made threes. His four-year, $45 million extension, which activates this summer, represents a significant chunk of salary that the Celtics need to reduce. However, for a team desperate for shooting, his contract could be seen as a reasonable long-term investment. The emergence of 2024 first-round pick Baylor Scheierman, a 6’6″ shooting guard/small forward with a solid college career and a rookie scale contract (approx. $2.6M for 2025-26), also plays a role. If Scheierman can develop into a reliable rotation player, it makes Hauser’s salary more expendable for Boston.
Three Potential Landing Spots:
San Antonio Spurs: This destination makes a lot of sense for both sides. The Spurs are on a clear path to contention and desperately need to bolster their perimeter shooting. As Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston suggested, a hypothetical trade involving Julian Champagnie and a second-round pick for Hauser could be mutually beneficial. While Champagnie (who averaged 9.9 points per game in 82 games last season, with a salary of $3 million for 2025-26) might be an offensive downgrade, he would save the Celtics approximately $7 million against the cap, which is the primary goal for Boston. The Spurs would acquire a proven sniper to space the floor for their young stars.
Orlando Magic: The Magic are another team that desperately needs shooting, having ranked dead-last in the NBA in 3-point percentage during the 2024-25 season (31.8%). Their young, athletic core is primed for a leap, but they lack consistent perimeter threats. While Orlando is also over the first apron of the luxury tax, meaning they’d need to match 100% of outgoing salary in a trade, a three-team deal could be a viable option. This would allow the Celtics to offload Hauser’s salary while the Magic acquire much-needed shooting.
Detroit Pistons: Similar to the Magic, the Pistons are a young team with significant upside looking to add veteran experience and offensive firepower. Sam Hauser’s sharpshooting and consistent presence could provide a valuable boost to their developing roster. Omari Sankofa of the Detroit Free Press has already identified Hauser as a potential offseason target for Detroit. The Pistons have players like Marcus Sasser ($2.8M for 2025-26) and Bobi Klintman ($1.9M for 2025-26) whose lower salaries could facilitate a cost-saving trade for Boston, potentially with an added draft pick.
The decision to trade Sam Hauser is a complex one for the Boston Celtics, driven by the harsh realities of the new NBA collective bargaining agreement. While his elite shooting will be missed, the need to reduce salary and avoid severe penalties is paramount. The San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic, and Detroit Pistons stand out as logical destinations, each offering a unique blend of team need and financial flexibility that could make a deal work. As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on Boston’s front office as they navigate these challenging waters and determine the future of Sam Hauser.