Doogie does defense, the Sam Hauser thread

[PedroKsBambino]

My guess has been that one of Hauser or PP will be traded, the "who" depends on a bunch of factors---how Baylor, Springer, etc. develop, what each shows this year, and the market for them.

Each is a tradeable contract, and at a level that they can someone back on a rookie deal and picks (or, of course, just picks if someone can take the salary). Goal might just be cost reduction, might be to get a different kind of asset (a young big possibly) or even just picks to manage costs out a year or two

There's also a less likely world where they deal Jrue after this year and plan to play PP and Springer more. But I don't think that's all that likely

 

[Euclis20]

That's why I thought this would never happen. I am confident Brad and Zarren have a plan.

Yeah I was 100% sure Hauser would play out the year and then leave as a free agent. 4/45 seems just about market rate for him (or potentially slightly less than, if he were to have another solid looking playoff run in 2025), in my head I figured the only way he'd be back would be on a super team friendly deal. Something similar to what Pritchard got (4/30), which is a deal he could never accept.

 

[mcpickl]

Agreed, though he only makes 7M so it wouldn't make as much of a difference compared to sending off Hauser or (gasp) one of the big 5.

A lot will depend on how the team does this year and what injury issues crop up (particularly with KP).

With the tax bracket they are projected to be in, it'll be a huge difference.

Obviously not as big as a guy on a bigger salary, but he's easily the most expendable.

 

[radsoxfan]

With the tax bracket they are projected to be in, it'll be a huge difference.

Obviously not as big as a guy on a bigger salary, but he's easily the most expendable.

Trading PP alone would definitely save a ton of $ vs doing nothing at all, agree on that. At minimum, he will be gone if they don't want to trade anyone else.

As PKB said, who gets traded is going to depend on a lot of factors we don't know precisely at the moment.

 

[The Mort Report]

If I were on Team Pritchard, I'd advise him to rent, not buy.

Honestly I've been of the mindset that PP was going to ask for a trade in a year or two because he'd want an opportunity to start. He's got his ring, so I could see his competitiveness wanting that next

 

[bosockboy]

PP can be replaced with the best vet ring chaser each season. Even someone as good as Tyus Jones is available right now.

 

[radsoxfan]

PP can be replaced with the best vet ring chaser each season. Even someone as good as Tyus Jones is available right now.

Let's just hope we don't need any half court buzzer beaters to win another title.

 

[InstaFace]

Let's just hope we don't need any half court buzzer beaters to win another title.

We didn't NEED them this year either. It was just the D-Lowe crotch chop of the 23-24 Celtics.

 

[Imbricus]

4/45 seems just about market rate for him (or potentially slightly less than, if he were to have another solid looking playoff run in 2025)

With his three-point shooting, I would see his market rate as closer to 4/52 to 4/58 ... in any event, I think after this season ends, his 4/45 (when contract is ready to kick in) will seem like even more of a bargain. The guy is a true 3-point shooter, going back right through college. Now that he plays decent defense, even if he's not a creator on offense, he's a pretty lethal weapon to have.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Hauser could start for some teams right now and he may well be a starter down the line. As others have noted, the tax is enormous and if the Warriors rebuilding on the fly can be used as an example, these sorts of deals ended up being way more consequential as they bumped up against constraints.

This deal has to be gratifying not only for Hauser but also the Celtics. What a great development story.

 

[radsoxfan]

We didn't NEED them this year either. It was just the D-Lowe crotch chop of the 23-24 Celtics.

Haha, I didn't mean to imply we needed them for this title.

Was just making a joke that might have been PP's biggest contribution compared to a generic ring chasing vet in this years Finals.

 

[benhogan]

Trading PP alone would definitely save a ton of $ vs doing nothing at all, agree on that. At minimum, he will be gone if they don't want to trade anyone else.

As PKB said, who gets traded is going to depend on a lot of factors we don't know precisely at the moment.

I expect KP will be moved by the 2026 trade deadline

If Brad is told to avoid absurd tax penalties for 2025-26, which group would you rather have (est. salaries):

GROUP A:
Horford (12M) + Sam Hauser (12M) + Xavier Tillman (5M) + PP (7M)

VS.

GROUP B:
KP (30M) + 3 Minimums (7M)

I'm going GROUP A, since Horford or X or Tatum can be their 5-wide Center in the playoffs by then.

Nothing has really changed from our exchange 3 weeks ago.

Pretty close with the Hauser extension #.
Tillman took even less than my $5M estimate.
Horford extension up next (or Wakefield handshake deal already in place)

Tatum's evolution is ongoing and gives this team tremendous versatility.

 

[radsoxfan]

I expect KP will be moved by the 2026 trade deadline


Nothing has really changed from our exchange a month ago. I was pretty close on the Hauser extension #. Tillman took even less than my $5M estimate. Horford extension up next (or Wakefield handshake deal already in place)

I'm more undecided than you on that choice, but a lot will depend on how this year goes for KP.

I think because the Celtics still mostly steamrolled in the playoff without much help from KP, it's easy to forget how important he was to this team maxing out it's potential. The Celtics didn't win just because they got lucky other stars were hurt.... but we did get a very favorable set of circumstances and also likely not the toughest matchup out of the West. That might not happen again.

This Celtics team without KP is still really good and could win it all, but it's a lot more reminiscent of the past few years when they were "in the mix" rather than clear favorites. Obviously Jrue is an upgrade and Tatum/Brown have incrementally improved, but KP (if healthy) does a lot for this team's ultimate upside. Perhaps more than replacing the bench guys with cheaper alternatives.

 

[Imbricus]

Anyone not convinced of Brad's genius ... here are DARKO ratings for some three-point specialists. (1) Kennard signed for 4 yrs./$56m for 2021-2024. (2) Allen signed for 4 yrs./$70m for 2024-2027. (3) Duncan Robinson (okay, a silly overpay, but shows the high end of the market) signed for 5 yrs./$90m. And Hauser just signed for 4 yrs./$45m, to start after next season. Which contract would you rather have?

Edit: to fix Kennard and Allen; switched them around.

 

[pjheff]

Anyone not convinced of Brad's genius ... here are DARKO ratings for some three-point specialists. (1) Allen signed for 4 yrs./$56m for 2021-2024. (2) Kennard signed for 4 yrs./$70m for 2024-2027. (3) Duncan Robinson (okay, a silly overpay, but shows the high end of the market) signed for 5 yrs./$90m. And Hauser just signed for 4 yrs./$45m, to start after next season. Which contract would you rather have?
View attachment 85923

Max Strus got 4/$62M.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Some of those deals cited were before this contract year. I suspect those players may not see the same markets in the current environment but that's based on a tiny sampling obviously.

 

[benhogan]

I'm more undecided than you on that choice, but a lot will depend on how this year goes for KP.

I think because the Celtics still mostly steamrolled in the playoff without much help from KP, it's easy to forget how important he was to this team maxing out it's potential. The Celtics didn't win just because they got lucky other stars were hurt.... but we did get a very favorable set of circumstances and also likely not the toughest matchup out of the West. That might not happen again.

This Celtics team without KP is still really good and could win it all, but it's a lot more reminiscent of the past few years when they were "in the mix" rather than clear favorites. Obviously Jrue is an upgrade and Tatum/Brown have incrementally improved, but KP (if healthy) does a lot for this team's ultimate upside. Perhaps more than replacing the bench guys with cheaper alternatives.

I agree a healthy KP makes them an unstoppable beast but wouldn't expect the new Celtic ownership (other than PIF) to pay massive taxes in 2026. The C's were pretty unstoppable with KP missing time in the playoffs/regular season, even with the JAYs shooting poorly from 3.

Most importantly I see Tatum developing into a high-leverage (short minutes) Point Center in the playoffs as he continues to get bigger/stronger. Expect we'll see a lot more of JAYs + Jrue + White + Sam small-ball lineup this season.

Anyone not convinced of Brad's genius ... here are DARKO ratings for some three-point specialists. (1) Kennard signed for 4 yrs./$56m for 2021-2024. (2) Allen signed for 4 yrs./$70m for 2024-2027. (3) Duncan Robinson (okay, a silly overpay, but shows the high end of the market) signed for 5 yrs./$90m. And Hauser just signed for 4 yrs./$45m, to start after next season. Which contract would you rather have?

Edit: to fix Kennard and Allen; switched them around.
View attachment 85923

Sam is a better defender than all of them (& Strus). This 4-year extension is massive for the Celtic's 5-year window which is built around JAYs + White + Hauser

 

[Imbricus]

Some of those deals cited were before this contract year.

True, but Allen's signing ($17.5m per) was just three months ago. Kennard could be in a tough spot on his next contract, agreed, because the Grizzlies are more cap-conscious than the Celts.

Still, one other thing in Sam's favor in my eyes is that he's a "young" 26 in terms of NBA experience, so he has a bit more room to grow on the upside.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

True, but Allen's signing ($17.5m per) was just three months ago. Kennard could be in a tough spot on his next contract, agreed, because the Grizzlies are more cap-conscious than the Celts.

Still, one other thing in Sam's favor in my eyes is that he's a "young" 26 in terms of NBA experience, so he has a bit more room to grow on the upside.

Your post still stands - Brad/Zarren (is there any question this guy is hugely valuable - he has been great through two different regimes) have done an amazing job navigating these past few seasons to set the core up for long term success. It really feels like they nailed the economics of league pretty well thus far.

 

[TripleOT]

Lots of good stuff here.

1) Boston actually had a better record without KP,, 31-6, than with him 49-15. They were +13 in the regular season games he didn’t play, which is higher than the best full season differential of all time. Could it have been because Boston was more switchable defensively when KP sat? He was the second most efficient scorer with a .647 TS, a hair behind Horford, who of course takes much less shots. if someone told me at the beginning of the season, that Boston would have a historically good team over the 47 games that KO would miss over the regular season and playoffs, I would have thought them to be crazy. With Boston’s two star wings and star backcourt locked up salary wise for the next four years, the question will be how to find a switchable center who’s can stretch the floor on cheap money. If Horford can do a Tom Brady and play at least two more seasons at a high level, KP might be an expensive luxury they can do without. If he puts in another injury full season and playoffs, it might be time to move on next summer.

2) I’ve been one of the biggest Pritchard advocates on this board, but I can’t ignore how poorly he has played in both Finals. Besides the two half court shots, and his garbage time scoring in the game four blowout loss, he was horrible offensively, as he was in the last five games in the Finals loss against the Warriors. When he got to start at the end of the season and was featured, he put up monster numbers. It’s probably going to be good for both the team and PP to move on after this season.

3) Hauser at market rate salary is going to be too expensive. Adding $50 million plus in total cost for a bench player who makes three buckets a game is probably not something any ownership group would be willing to play. If the team had an aging wing starting in front of him, maybe they pay him and move him up to starter in a season or two, but that’s not the case here.

Boston should be able to fill their seventh and eighth rotation spot with minvet ring chasers. Hopefully one of the four development projects can step into the rotation eventually.

 

[JakeRae]

I didn’t expect ownership to be willing to sign up for this, but I’m very happy they did. Setting aside tax issues, this is a very fair deal for both sides.

 

[Imbricus]

1) Boston actually had a better record without KP,, 31-6, than with him 49-15. They were +13 in the regular season games he didn’t play, which is higher than the best full season differential of all time. Could it have been because Boston was more switchable defensively when KP sat? He was the second most efficient scorer with a .647 TS, a hair behind Horford, who of course takes much less shots. if someone told me at the beginning of the season, that Boston would have a historically good team over the 47 games that KO would miss over the regular season and playoffs, I would have thought them to be crazy. With Boston’s two star wings and star backcourt locked up salary wise for the next four years, the question will be how to find a switchable center who’s can stretch the floor on cheap money. If Horford can do a Tom Brady and play at least two more seasons at a high level, KP might be an expensive luxury they can do without. If he puts in another injury full season and playoffs, it might be time to move on next summer.

2) I’ve been one of the biggest Pritchard advocates on this board, but I can’t ignore how poorly he has played in both Finals. Besides the two half court shots, and his garbage time scoring in the game four blowout loss, he was horrible offensively, as he was in the last five games in the Finals loss against the Warriors. When he got to start at the end of the season and was featured, he put up monster numbers. It’s probably going to be good for both the team and PP to move on after this season.

3) Hauser at market rate salary is going to be too expensive. Adding $50 million plus in total cost for a bench player who makes three buckets a game is probably not something any ownership group would be willing to play. If the team had an aging wing starting in front of him, maybe they pay him and move him up to starter in a season or two, but that’s not the case here.

Yeah, I'm starting to come around to the thinking that KP is most likely to go. I love what he brings to the team, but you can't ignore the fragility concerns, and they don't typically get better with an aging seven-footer. I could see either KP or Jrue getting traded to offload salary. Of course if the Celts want to try to get a big haul in return, they might look at Jaylen, though that seems a bit less likely after his late-season performance.

Pritchard was bad in the finals, sure, but his shooting was fine in the prior two series (5 for 9 from three against Indiana, and 12/24 against Cleveland). As I recall, he was mostly fine throughout the playoffs. He wasn't the one we were really worried about -- it was Hauser, actually. And I think Sam still has something to prove re: his ability to perform well in the playoffs when NBA defenses are getting up on shooters faster, and more aggressively.

 

[radsoxfan]

3) Hauser at market rate salary is going to be too expensive. Adding $50 million plus in total cost for a bench player who makes three buckets a game is probably not something any ownership group would be willing to play. If the team had an aging wing starting in front of him, maybe they pay him and move him up to starter in a season or two, but that’s not the case here.

Boston should be able to fill their seventh and eighth rotation spot with minvet ring chasers. Hopefully one of the four development projects can step into the rotation eventually.

Hauser at market rate salary is perfectly fine if its not taxed at an insane rate. If they move on from KP (as you implied they might), Hauser on the roster is not the same type of problem. Again, I think KP has real value that some may be under estimating, but in the end he is an injury risk and I wouldn't be shocked if is the one to go after 2024-2025.

So many unknowns in 12 months, It's hard to predict the best way to shape the 2025-26 roster, but it still definitely could have Hauser on it.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

Max Strus got 4/$62M.

Obligatory (and adding in Malik Monk, who just got paid):

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

Hauser at market rate salary is perfectly fine if its not taxed at an insane rate. If they move on from KP (as you implied they might), Hauser on the roster is not the same type of problem. Again, I think KP has real value that some may be under estimating, but in the end he is an injury risk and I wouldn't be shocked if is the one to go after 2024-2025.

So many unknowns in 12 months, It's hard to predict the best way to shape the 2025-26 roster, but it still definitely could have Hauser on it.

I'm sure there's a part of ownership (or whoever buys the team) that is hoping that the problem solves itself. For example, if KP suffers a really bad injury, the Cs are fine attaching assets to him.

The really interesting thing (as mentioned on several podcasts) is that in this day and age, it usually takes two years, not one, to clear salary because moving KP or Jrue into space isn't easy. The easier thing to do is to trade for an expiring but that takes an extra year for salary to clear. Granted the Cs can likely trade PP and Hauser into space and then trade KP or Jrue for smaller expiring(s) dramatically reduce their tax bill but if they do this, and given the repeater tax, their tax bill will still be hefty (rather than exorbitant).

So if BOS ends up this year with the core intact, they'll still have a substantial tax to pay in 2025-26 in all likelihood.

But it seems like ownership is going to give this team every chance to repeat. And if they do so, will they give this team a chance to threepeat? Guess we all should buy as much paraphernalia as possible.

 

[slamminsammya]

Yeah, I'm starting to come around to the thinking that KP is most likely to go. I love what he brings to the team, but you can't ignore the fragility concerns, and they don't typically get better with an aging seven-footer. I could see either KP or Jrue getting traded to offload salary. Of course if the Celts want to try to get a big haul in return, they might look at Jaylen, though that seems a bit less likely after his late-season performance.

Pritchard was bad in the finals, sure, but his shooting was fine in the prior two series (5 for 9 from three against Indiana, and 12/24 against Cleveland). As I recall, he was mostly fine throughout the playoffs. He wasn't the one we were really worried about -- it was Hauser, actually. And I think Sam still has something to prove re: his ability to perform well in the playoffs when NBA defenses are getting up on shooters faster, and more aggressively.

Hauser was getting up the same number of 3PA in the playoffs per minute as the regular season at 4 pct less. That’s just noise to me. I thought he was pretty good especially in the finals and I don’t personally doubt his ability to perform in the playoffs any more than other role players in general.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Unless Sam forgets how to shoot, he should be pretty valuable on that contract.

If Baylor pans out and can be a decent Sam replacement, Sam (or PP or KP or someone) is going to be on the move before 2025-2026.

I know it’s only SL but I was not impressed w Baylor. Now I know he’s a high IQ guy who could fit better with smarter/better players but so is Kolek and he tore up SL. Early opinion and obv much can change but Sam isn’t losing minutes anytime soon.

 

[joe dokes]

So many unknowns in 12 months, It's hard to predict the best way to shape the 2025-26 roster, but it still definitely could have Hauser on it.

A lot of unknowns. But none of their unknowns over the next couple of seasons involve their own players' contracts expiring. I cant profess cap expertise, but in general, that bit of certainty seems very big when it comes to trades/dumping $$, etc.

 

[mcpickl]

True, but Allen's signing ($17.5m per) was just three months ago. Kennard could be in a tough spot on his next contract, agreed, because the Grizzlies are more cap-conscious than the Celts.

Still, one other thing in Sam's favor in my eyes is that he's a "young" 26 in terms of NBA experience, so he has a bit more room to grow on the upside.

I would guess when Kennard officially re-sign with Memphis, it'll be in the same ballpark as Hauser salary-wise.

I'd guess he signs for a bit less than Hauser, probably between 10-12M, but probably for one less guaranteed year since he's 18 months older.

Kennard is an outrageous, and really consistent, 3 point shooter.

 

[radsoxfan]

I know it’s only SL but I was not impressed w Baylor. Now I know he’s a high IQ guy who could fit better with smarter/better players but so is Kolek and he tore up SL. Early opinion and obv much can change but Sam isn’t losing minutes anytime soon.

I agree. I did see him make a few pretty crafty passes where he did look a bit Joe Ingles-ish...but overall he doesn't look like he will be challenging (or replacing) Hauser anytime soon.

Sam is just a truly elite 3 pt shooter. Baylor is "good", but hasn't really stood out as head and shoulders above other guys. Unless he can improve there, it's going to be hard for him to reach Hauser's overall level.

We should probably temper expectations, he was a late 1st round prospect in a very weak draft. There is a decent chance he's not even an NBA player. Being worthy of regular top 8 minutes on a title contender in a couple years would be an awesome outcome, but not super likely.

 

[mcpickl]

I'm sure there's a part of ownership (or whoever buys the team) that is hoping that the problem solves itself. For example, if KP suffers a really bad injury, the Cs are fine attaching assets to him.

The really interesting thing (as mentioned on several podcasts) is that in this day and age, it usually takes two years, not one, to clear salary because moving KP or Jrue into space isn't easy. The easier thing to do is to trade for an expiring but that takes an extra year for salary to clear. Granted the Cs can likely trade PP and Hauser into space and then trade KP or Jrue for smaller expiring(s) dramatically reduce their tax bill but if they do this, and given the repeater tax, their tax bill will still be hefty (rather than exorbitant).

So if BOS ends up this year with the core intact, they'll still have a substantial tax to pay in 2025-26 in all likelihood.

But it seems like ownership is going to give this team every chance to repeat. And if they do so, will they give this team a chance to threepeat? Guess we all should buy as much paraphernalia as possible.

I think the most likely scenario is they make some smaller tax saving deals in the next 18 months (Pritchard, Springer), then going into the 2026-27 season, they let KP leave and that season they duck back under the second apron.

Without any other major moves between then and now, they'd have Tatum/Brown/White/Jrue and Hauser/Walsh/Queta/Scheireman as their 8 guys currently on the books(assuming Pritchard is dealt), and around 30M in space below the second apron.

Unless one of their big 5 salary guys loses their performance level in the next 2 years due to age/injury, I think the best move by a mile is ride them for the next two seasons, try to get another banner hanging, then start cutting in 2026-27.

 

[radsoxfan]

I think the most likely scenario is they make some smaller tax saving deals in the next 18 months (Pritchard, Springer), then going into the 2026-27 season, they let KP leave and that season they duck back under the second apron.

Without any other major moves between then and now, they'd have Tatum/Brown/White/Jrue and Hauser/Walsh/Queta/Scheireman as their 8 guys currently on the books(assuming Pritchard is dealt), and around 30M in space below the second apron.

Unless one of their big 5 salary guys loses their performance level in the next 2 years due to age/injury, I think the best move by a mile is ride them for the next two seasons, try to get another banner hanging, then start cutting in 2026-27.

That obviously works well for us as fans, but if PP is the only trade of significance made, the luxury tax # is going to be huge in 2025-2026.

Ownership (whoever that is) really would be paying 50M+ for the luxury of Hauser as our 7th/8th man for 1 season. Not sure that's going to happen.

Edit: Put another way, ownership would be paying close to 200M to keep KP's 30M salary on the books for that season alone.

 

[lovegtm]

Opinions on whether Hauser will extend seem to be diverging a lot, so I'm going to plant my stake in the ground here and say I think he'll extend this summer. Happy to say I'm an idiot if he doesn't.

Going to take a victory lap this Sunday, since multiple people expressed incredibly high certainty that this wouldn't happen.

 

[TripleOT]

Going to take a victory lap this Sunday, since multiple people expressed incredibly high certainty that this wouldn't happen.

I didn’t think ownership would make this move. Maybe the thinking is that the new owner will be picking up the bill, but when this player is costing the organization $40 million more net than a random minimum salary veteran ring chaser, it still is surprising.

Ownership has gone above and beyond my expectations in opening up their checkbook. I’m looking forward to seeing how such an historically great offense will perform after a full season of 101 games playing together.

 

[TripleOT]

Do they now want to pay Baylor to sit on the bench? Or was he insurance against Sam not extending, and they trade him for some future draft capital? Or will he be Hauser’s understand, and they move Sam in a season or two?

 

[lovegtm]

I didn’t think ownership would make this move. Maybe the thinking is that the new owner will be picking up the bill, but when this player is costing the organization $40 million more net than a random minimum salary veteran ring chaser, it still is surprising.

Ownership has gone above and beyond my expectations in opening up their checkbook. I’m looking forward to seeing how such an historically great offense will perform after a full season of 101 games playing together.

The key in my reasoning as to why he'd re-sign was that they aren't actually paying him yet.

They have a ton of options next summer to reconfigure the roster based on 2024-25 performance and health.

 

[lovegtm]

I know it’s only SL but I was not impressed w Baylor. Now I know he’s a high IQ guy who could fit better with smarter/better players but so is Kolek and he tore up SL. Early opinion and obv much can change but Sam isn’t losing minutes anytime soon.

I liked Baylor in the first game, and then it got pretty rough, in all aspects.

We'll see what he does, but it wasn't super encouraging. You can see a clearer path for Watson in some ways now, which no one imagined before SL.

There's a big gap between "guy who shot well in college" and "Sam Hauser". The latter is one of the few truly elite elite shooters in the NBA.

 

[BigSoxFan]

I liked Baylor in the first game, and then it got pretty rough, in all aspects.

We'll see what he does, but it wasn't super encouraging. You can see a clearer path for Watson in some ways now, which no one imagined before SL.

There's a big gap between "guy who shot well in college" and "Sam Hauser". The latter is one of the few truly elite elite shooters in the NBA.

Good news is that we shouldn’t need Baylor this year so we can see where he is after a year of development. Not crazy for guys with his profile to take a while to pop, if they ever do.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

That obviously works well for us as fans, but if PP is the only trade of significance made, the luxury tax # is going to be huge in 2025-2026.

Ownership (whoever that is) really would be paying 50M+ for the luxury of Hauser as our 7th/8th man for 1 season. Not sure that's going to happen.

Edit: Put another way, ownership would be paying close to 200M to keep KP's 30M salary on the books for that season alone.

Only half kidding but what if Wyc is super pissed at his family for making him sell the team and he wants to stick it to them with tax dollars on their way out? He is the governor and has final say. I dunno, with so many investors involved and so much money at stake I could certainly see uncomfortable holiday family dinners.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

I think the most likely scenario is they make some smaller tax saving deals in the next 18 months (Pritchard, Springer), then going into the 2026-27 season, they let KP leave and that season they duck back under the second apron.

Without any other major moves between then and now, they'd have Tatum/Brown/White/Jrue and Hauser/Walsh/Queta/Scheireman as their 8 guys currently on the books(assuming Pritchard is dealt), and around 30M in space below the second apron.

Unless one of their big 5 salary guys loses their performance level in the next 2 years due to age/injury, I think the best move by a mile is ride them for the next two seasons, try to get another banner hanging, then start cutting in 2026-27.

As Rad said, that means a huge tax bill in 2025-26. If the Cs ownership are up for it, I'm certainly up for it!

If they are not winning then breaking the team up is a no-brainer. What I'm most curious about is how much they let this group win. As of right now, it still seems like they are heads and shoulders above everyone else still.

I didn’t think ownership would make this move. Maybe the thinking is that the new owner will be picking up the bill, but when this player is costing the organization $40 million more net than a random minimum salary veteran ring chaser, it still is surprising.

Ownership has gone above and beyond my expectations in opening up their checkbook. I’m looking forward to seeing how such an historically great offense will perform after a full season of 101 games playing together.

I think the move was made to give Sam some security plus give the Cs some flexibility. They aren't paying him the extension yet and frankly, Sam is likely a more valuable asset now that he has signed his extension. Another amazing thing about POBOBS - the Cs appear to have only positive value contracts. That's incredible.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

There's a big gap between "guy who shot well in college" and "Sam Hauser". The latter is one of the few truly elite elite shooters in the NBA.

The jump to another level for perimeter shooters with slow/low releases and/or those with windups can be as huge of an adjustment as there is the game. There is an adjustment period for the shooter to return to his comfort zone of anticipating contesting defenders length and close out speed….and some never do.

 

[benhogan]

Going to take a victory lap this Sunday, since multiple people expressed incredibly high certainty that this wouldn't happen.

Yep...The same group was skeptical about Jrue & White extending. Brad wizardry at work.

In light of what Isaiah Joe just got, this deal is absurdly team-friendly (any word if the 4th year is a player option?)

The recently married Mrs. Hauser can now go house hunting in Nantucket.

I'm optimistic about Brad extending Hauser. Expecting 1-2yr extension + 1 yr player option which would take him to 29, very much in his prime to go to UFA. Even though Sam is better than Grant, he'll probably get slightly less than GW's per year. Something like 2+1/$30M

 

[Imbricus]

The key in my reasoning as to why he'd re-sign was that they aren't actually paying him yet.

They have a ton of options next summer to reconfigure the roster based on 2024-25 performance and health.

Yeah, this is the way to view all the Brad moves over the last three months. He snuck them all in before the really nasty tax bill comes due, and so he gets a full season to weigh what to do during the summer of '25. Which makes perfect sense, considering they're all good contracts. I did want Jrue to come in lower, but what the heck -- he's an elite complementary piece and fits really well. It's hard to keep a really good team together -- people want to get paid what they're worth.

 

[benhogan]

Yeah, this is the way to view all the Brad moves over the last three months. He snuck them all in before the really nasty tax bill comes due, and so he gets a full season to weigh what to do during the summer of '25.

Small quibble, but Brad has until the 2026 trade deadline before the potential Grand Unload

So a full season + Summer/Fall 2025 + 50 games in 2025-26 to weigh every trade opportunity.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

Only half kidding but what if Wyc is super pissed at his family for making him sell the team and he wants to stick it to them with tax dollars on their way out? He is the governor and has final say. I dunno, with so many investors involved and so much money at stake I could certainly see uncomfortable holiday family dinners.

I know you're not totally serious but I would imagine that Father still has ultimate ownership control of the team and if Wyc really stepped out of line like that, he'd get replaced as governor.

 

[lovegtm]

In light of what Isaiah Joe just got, this deal is absurdly team-friendly (any word if the 4th year is a player option?)

Deal is fully guaranteed, no options for either side.

 

[mcpickl]

That obviously works well for us as fans, but if PP is the only trade of significance made, the luxury tax # is going to be huge in 2025-2026.

Ownership (whoever that is) really would be paying 50M+ for the luxury of Hauser as our 7th/8th man for 1 season. Not sure that's going to happen.

Edit: Put another way, ownership would be paying close to 200M to keep KP's 30M salary on the books for that season alone.

This is if nothing changes though.

This is what the Celtics have paid, and are scheduled to pay, since 2014.

2014-22 they paid the tax one time, for 3.8M
2023 they paid 70M
2024 they paid 44M and won a title!
2025 scheduled to pay 66M (my guess is this will get cut down by moving Springer and/or Pritchard)
2026 if they lop off Pritchard, replace him with a vet minimum and fill the roster with rookie/vet minimums they'll be around 100M
2027 KP is gone, can duck under the 2nd apron and get back to a smaller tax bill

Their time is now, and the window is much smaller than fans think. Their best shot of winning again is very likely the next two seasons, If the Grousbecks aren't willing to pay those tax bills the next two years when they're about to fill their pockets selling the team, after years of not paying tax at all, let's hurry up the sale and get an owner who will pay to contend now.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

I know you're not totally serious but I would imagine that Father still has ultimate ownership control of the team and if Wyc really stepped out of line like that, he'd get replaced as governor.

What if Irv doesn’t care but the other family members forcing this sale are the ones pissing Wyc off while they have no voice. I dunno, while he’s always paid the tax when the Celtics have contended there was still some level of fiscal responsibility with the non-starters. No it seems like he’s throwing around F-U money on his way out the door.

 

[lovegtm]

Their time is now, and the window is much smaller than fans think. Their best shot of winning again is very likely the next two seasons, If the Grousbecks aren't willing to pay those tax bills the next two years when they're about to fill their pockets selling the team, after years of not paying tax at all, let's hurry up the sale and get an owner who will pay to contend now.

They're likely going to have Tatum+Brown+DWhite+Hauser, in their primes, for the next 5 seasons. Those 4 will cost 85-90% of the cap, which isn't even that bad, given the talent.

The time to win is now, but they absolutely will be contenders for awhile, even if they shed some salary in 2025 or 2026.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

They're likely going to have Tatum+Brown+DWhite+Hauser, in their primes, for the next 5 seasons. Those 4 will cost 85-90% of the cap, which isn't even that bad, given the talent.

The time to win is now, but they absolutely will be contenders for awhile, even if they shed some salary in 2025 or 2026.

We could completely gut the team in two years and still have time to retool behind The J’s and probably Derrick (I wouldn’t include Hauser in that core group). Jrue could still have value to a WC team looking to solidify their backcourt with a veteran, Hauser and Pritchard’s roles can be replaced on cheaper deals, Kristaps can intrigue a team looking for that “veteran with a ring” type guy even though that statement shouldn’t move the needle but it does for fan bases.