After winning a ring recently, the Boston Celtics locked up key players to their respective extensions, such as Derrick White and All-Star forward Jayson Tatum. The thing is, their decision to extend Sam Hauser’s contract has a financial impact on the team’s future.
The Celtics have agreed to a four-year, $45 million contract extension with Hauser, solidifying the sharpshooter’s role as a key contributor to the team’s championship core. Hauser, who went undrafted out of Virginia in 2021, emerged as a vital part of the Celtics’ roster last season, averaging a career-best 9.0 points and shooting 42.4% from beyond the arc, which ranked 11th in the NBA.
The extension will keep Hauser in Boston through the 2028-29 season, with the first year of the deal set at $2 million before the extension kicks in. Hauser’s ability to space the floor and knock down 3-pointers made him an important complement to All-Star teammates Jayson Tatum and Derrick White, both of whom have also agreed to contract extensions with the Celtics this summer.
At 6’8″, Hauser provides the Celtics with size and shooting at the forward position, and his historic 10-3-pointer performance in just under 23 minutes against the Washington Wizards last season showcased his elite perimeter skills. The Celtics have now locked up several key pieces of their championship-contending roster, ensuring continuity and stability as they look to build on their Finals appearance in the 2023-24 season.
NBA Insider Explains Impact of Boston Celtics’ Decision to Sign Sam Hauser
During the offseason, the Celtics’ front office made an effort to lock key players to new contracts, including Hauser. According to a tweet by NBA insider Bobby Marks on X, Boston’s decision to extend him has an impact on the team’s financial future.
Signing Hauser to a new deal is projected to add to Boston’s luxury tax burden, with the team expected to have $225 million in salary and a $210 million tax bill for the 2025-26 season. The plan likely involves shedding salary, such as Kristaps Porzingis’ contract, to duck back under the second apron line in the future.
It remains to be seen whether Boston’s decision to stick with most of their roster last season will pay off in the future. In any case, a lot of Celtics fans will keep an eye on Hauser to see if he ends up worthy of his new contract.
