As the regular season approaches, the Boston Celtics are looking to move past a rocky offseason but more roster changes may be on the horizon.
Dealing with the financial strain of second-apron tax penalties and the possibility of missing Jayson Tatum for the entire season, the Celtics have already made significant moves. They traded away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, and later dealt Georges Niang, who had been part of the Porzingis trade with Atlanta.
There’s also ongoing speculation that Boston could look to move Anfernee Simons, recently acquired from Portland in the Holiday deal, as part of further reshuffling.
Though the Celtics still have a chance to compete in a wide-open Eastern Conference, questions remain particularly about the reliability of their frontcourt depth. With the season nearing, multiple players, including a fan-favorite forward, could find themselves on the trade block as Boston continues to evaluate its path forward.
Celtics Analyst Suggests Sam Hauser Could Be Traded by Deadline
NBC Sports Boston recently shared their midseason headline predictions, with Celtics Pregame Live host Kayla Burton suggesting that Boston may part ways with fan-favorite forward Sam Hauser at the trade deadline.
“I don’t know where he’d go, but I think the team makes a bold and honestly, emotional move to bring in a big man,” Burton said.
With Jayson Tatum out, Hauser is expected to take on a larger role this season. That increased playing time could boost his trade value, especially given his elite three-point shooting, which could attract interest from playoff-bound teams.
Currently, the Celtics’ center depth includes Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, and Chris Boucher an area of concern that may push the front office to seek reinforcements. Hauser, unfortunately, could be the trade piece used to make that happen.
An undrafted product out of Virginia, Hauser has become a key part of Boston’s rotation over the past three seasons, knocking down 42% of his threes. But despite his steady production, he may not be safe from a midseason move ahead of February’s trade deadline.
