The San Antonio Spurs already dipped into Boston’s roster once this past offseason, scooping up Luke Kornet as the Celtics worked to trim salary and recalibrate their roster. Now, with the trade deadline approaching, there’s buzz around a potential second transaction between these two franchises-this time involving a swap that could help both teams shore up glaring weaknesses.
Celtics Surging Without Tatum-But Defense Needs a Lift
Despite an offseason exodus that saw Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis traded, Al Horford walk in free agency, and Kornet head south to San Antonio, the Celtics are still thriving. Even without their franchise cornerstone Jayson Tatum, Boston has climbed to third in the Eastern Conference standings.
A big reason? Jaylen Brown is playing at an MVP-caliber level, and the Celtics have leaned heavily into their perimeter game.
They’re launching the second-most threes in the league and connecting at a strong 36.7% clip.
The offense is humming-second-best in the NBA-but the defense, while solid, hasn’t quite kept pace. Boston currently ranks 11th in defensive efficiency, fourth among East teams.
If Tatum returns before the playoffs, the Celtics could be a real threat to make a deep run. But adding a versatile defender could be the missing piece to elevate them from contender to favorite.
Spurs Have the Defense-But Shooting Remains a Problem
On the other side, the Spurs are in a very different place. They’ve built a top-three defense, but the offense is sputtering-especially from beyond the arc.
Simply put, San Antonio needs shooting. Badly.
And that’s where a potential trade with Boston could make a lot of sense.
One proposed deal floating around involves a straight-up swap: Jeremy Sochan for Sam Hauser. It’s the kind of move that’s not flashy but could be quietly impactful for both teams.
What the Trade Could Look Like
Sochan has found himself on the outside looking in when it comes to the Spurs’ rotation. Once a key piece of their young core, he’s now expected to be moved before the trade deadline. His defensive versatility and ability to guard multiple positions would be a welcome addition in Boston, especially come playoff time when matchups get tighter and every possession matters.
Hauser, meanwhile, is having a bit of a down year by his own standards-shooting a career-low 39.4% from three-but that’s still elite by league standards. He’d bring much-needed floor spacing to a Spurs team that desperately needs to open up driving lanes and create more offensive balance. Pairing him with Keldon Johnson off the bench could give San Antonio a much more dynamic second unit.
The Financials Work-And the Fit Makes Sense
Hauser is making about $3 million more than Sochan this season, but the Spurs have more than enough cap space to absorb that difference without blinking. From a roster-building standpoint, this is a clean one-for-one deal that doesn’t require a lot of financial gymnastics.
To sweeten the pot, San Antonio could throw in a second-round pick or even a lightly protected first-rounder. For Boston, that’s a small price to pay if it means upgrading their defense and better positioning themselves for a Finals run.
Bottom Line
This isn’t a blockbuster trade. But it’s the kind of move that contenders make to patch a weakness and that rebuilding teams make to develop a clearer identity.
Boston needs defense. San Antonio needs shooting.
A Sochan-for-Hauser swap checks both boxes.
With the trade deadline looming, don’t be surprised if these two franchises revisit the negotiating table. They’ve already done business once this year. A second deal might be just what both sides need to take the next step.