At the midway point of the season, the Boston Celtics find themselves sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference - a spot few would’ve confidently predicted, especially with Jayson Tatum missing time and a roster that saw its fair share of offseason turnover. Yet here they are, 26-15 and firmly in the mix, with the trade deadline now just weeks away. And while Boston is expected to explore options to bolster its frontcourt depth, one name that keeps popping up in trade chatter - Sam Hauser - is making a compelling case to stay right where he is.
Sam Hauser's Emergence Is Changing the Conversation
Let’s be clear: Hauser’s name surfacing in trade rumors isn’t a knock on his value. If anything, it’s a testament to how much he’s grown. But if there were any real thoughts within the Celtics' front office about moving him, his recent stretch of play should bring that to a screeching halt.
With Tatum sidelined, head coach Joe Mazzulla has had to get creative with the rotation. Young wings like Josh Minott, Jordan Walsh, Hugo Gonzalez, and Baylor Scheierman have all gotten their chances. They've had flashes, but none have shown the consistency that Hauser has delivered - especially over the past few weeks.
After a rough November where he averaged just 5.1 points while shooting 27.5% from deep, Hauser has flipped the switch in a big way. Since being inserted into the starting lineup, he’s averaging 14 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting an eye-popping 45.1% from three on nearly nine attempts per game. That’s not just good - that’s elite, high-volume shooting that stretches defenses and creates space for Boston’s stars to operate.
And if there was any doubt about what he brings to the table, look no further than his recent explosion against the Atlanta Hawks. Hauser dropped a season-high 30 points, tying his career mark with 10 made threes in a 132-106 win. That’s the kind of performance that turns heads - and forces front offices to reconsider any trade plans.
More Than Just a Shooter
It’s easy to label Hauser as a sharpshooter - and to be fair, that’s his calling card. But his value to the Celtics goes beyond just spacing the floor.
Defensively, he’s more than held his own. No, he’s not Marcus Smart or Derrick White, but he’s shown he can compete on that end, especially when it matters most.
Think back to the Finals matchup against the Mavericks. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving made a point of targeting Hauser, and while they got their shots - as superstars tend to do - Hauser didn’t fold.
He stayed disciplined, played within the scheme, and made life just difficult enough to be effective. That kind of two-way reliability is gold for a playoff team.
The Fit Matters - Especially in Mazzulla’s System
In Joe Mazzulla’s offense, movement, spacing, and quick decision-making are non-negotiables. Hauser checks every box.
His ability to stretch the floor gives Jaylen Brown and Tatum the breathing room they need to attack. And when defenses collapse, Hauser is the kind of shooter who punishes them for it.
That’s why trading him - unless it’s for a true difference-maker like Jaren Jackson Jr. - doesn’t make much sense. The Celtics could use another big, sure. But not at the cost of a player who fits this system so seamlessly and is producing at such a high level.
As the trade deadline approaches, Boston will have some decisions to make. But if Hauser keeps playing like this, that decision should be an easy one.
Keep him. Let him keep doing what he’s doing.
And give this group - the one that’s already proven it can win - a real shot to finish the job.