Boston Celtics’ gloomy Monday was more than just a loss to the top-seeded Pistons. The deeper tragedy was the sight of sharpshooter Sam Hauser hobbling off the floor after just four minutes with an ankle injury. One three-point attempt, one miss. That injury, while seemingly not severe as he walked off under his own power, came at the most sensitive time: just as Brad Stevens and the front office are aggressively seeking to cut payroll to duck below the luxury tax threshold. And Hauser, with his $10 million salary for next season, is the most convenient “ticket” to achieve that goal.
The loss to the Pistons wasn’t just a question of form; it brought bad personnel news. Sam Hauser, expected to shine from beyond the arc, left the game early. He’s now dealing with an ankle issue and is likely to miss a few games. This creates a dual problem: it not only weakens a lineup in need of stability but also significantly diminishes his trade value ahead of the deadline.
Many still hope the Celtics will “splurge” to bolster their roster for a championship push. But the harsh reality is different: the Celtics’ top priority is cutting costs. They are currently $12 million over the luxury tax threshold. Moving Anfernee Simons ($27.7M) is ideal but extremely difficult. The easier path runs directly through Sam Hauser and his $10 million salary for 2025-26.
If Hauser were having his standard season, shooting around his career 41.2% from three, finding a taker for his remaining three-year, $45 million contract wouldn’t be a major challenge. But that hasn’t been the case.
The 2025-26 season has been a nightmare for Hauser. He’s shooting a career-low 34.0% from deep. He’s even missed his last 12 three-point attempts. This shooting slump, combined with a fresh injury, turns him from a valuable asset into a “tough sell.” Other teams will hesitate: is this just a temporary dip, or a sign of decline? And with a lengthy contract, the risk is substantial.
The Athletic’s John Hollinger notes: “(A Sam Hauser offer) would be a more tempting package if Hauser were shooting better… On the other hand, if a rival team thinks it’s just random variance and believes more in his career 41.2 percent mark from 3, it might be thrilled at the price they could get.”
The pressure now mounts on President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens. The goal is clear: shed at least $12 million in salary to escape the tax and avoid the dreaded “repeater tax” list in future years. This would open up trade flexibility and cap exceptions for the Celtics.
However, their most convenient tool (Hauser) has severely depreciated. Stevens must now get more creative: perhaps orchestrating a more complex multi-team deal, packaging Hauser with at least one other player. Alternatively, they may have to accept less value in return, or even attach additional assets (like draft picks) to entice a partner.
Sam Hauser’s injury is a “double blow” to the Celtics’ financial ambitions. It exacerbates his own performance crisis while freezing the team’s already difficult cost-cutting plan. Ahead of the trade deadline, Brad Stevens must now be both a financial magician and a master persuader to solve this intricate puzzle. The future flexibility of the franchise may well hinge on the severity of one left ankle.