As the Boston Celtics navigated a turbulent offseason, slashing payroll and reshaping their roster, trade rumors swirled like a storm around the TD Garden. Big names like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis were shipped out, as expected, but the whispers didn’t stop there. Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, and even sharpshooting wing Sam Hauser found themselves caught in the rumor mill. Yet, the Celtics held firm, keeping their core intact while adding fresh talent. At the team’s media day on Monday, Hauser, the unassuming yet lethal marksman, opened up with raw honesty about the trade talk that nearly upended his Boston tenure.
“You try to block it out, but you really can’t, to be honest with you,” Hauser admitted, his voice carrying the weight of a player who’s seen the business side of the NBA up close. “It’s part of the game. I was ready for anything. If I got traded, fine—I’d deal with it. But I stayed, and I’m thankful. This organization gave me a shot when no one else did. They extended me. Whatever they had to do, I got it. But man, I’m glad I’m still here.”
Hauser’s journey with the Celtics is the stuff of underdog dreams. The 27-year-old started as an undrafted two-way player, grinding his way from the fringes to a pivotal role on Boston’s 2024 championship squad. Known for his silky 42.0% career 3-point shooting, Hauser has become one of the league’s premier snipers. Early in his career, opponents targeted him defensively, but he’s since proven he can hold his own, evolving into a reliable two-way contributor. His four-year, $45 million extension signed after the 2024 title run is a bargain for a player of his caliber, which only fueled the trade chatter as the Celtics looked to trim costs.
Despite the rumors, Boston didn’t pull the trigger on moving Hauser. Now, as he enters his fifth season with the only NBA home he’s ever known, he’s poised to take on an even bigger role—especially with Jayson Tatum sidelined indefinitely due to a ruptured Achilles tendon. The injury to Boston’s superstar opens the door for players like Hauser to step into the spotlight.
“Everybody’s got to seize this moment,” Hauser said, his tone brimming with determination. “With Jayson out, it’s a chance for guys like me to step up, use our voices, and lead. We’ve always leaned on veterans like Al [Horford] or Jrue [Holiday] for their wisdom, but now it’s our time to grow into those roles.”
As training camp kicks off, Hauser remains a cornerstone of Boston’s rotation, his sharpshooting and newfound defensive grit making him a secret weapon for a team with championship aspirations. The trade rumors may have faded, but Hauser’s candid reflection serves as a reminder of the NBA’s ruthless business side—and his unwavering gratitude for the team that believed in him. With the 2025 season on the horizon, the Celtics’ unheralded star is ready to let his game do the talking.