The Boston Celtics proved there’s still work to be done this summer, as the organization made two valuable moves on Tuesday to bolster its roster and help it financially.
Perhaps the more notable move was the Celtics’ decision to trade Georges Niang to the Utah Jazz.
Following the deal, Sports Illustrated’s Alex Kirschenbaum believes that a 6-foot-7 NBA champion forward could be the next contributor to leave the franchise.
“On Tuesday, it broke that Niang and a pair of future second-rounders were being rerouted to the Utah Jazz in exchange for rookie two-way player Reggie Luis Jr., per a report from ESPN's Shams Charania,” Kirschenbaum wrote Wednesday.
“Boston quickly announced its decision to sign 6-foot-9 power forward/center Chris Boucher to a one-season, $3.3 million deal. Essentially, by moving off Niang to sign Boucher, the Celtics saved a cool $4.9 million.”
“Boston has come too far to stop now. The Celtics seem liable to make at least one more move so that they may dip below the first apron.”
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“Offloading someone like reserve big man Xavier Tillman or floor-spacing bench wing Sam Hauser could get Boston below the apron (depending on the deal), but Hauser at least provides major off-ball value and might be worth keeping for Tatum's return.”
Hauser has played his role beautifully with the Celtics for four seasons.
Hauser was a 43.9% career long-range shooter at the collegiate level, and in the pros, the 27-year-old hasn’t disappointed from three-point land.
Hauser, a high-level catch-and-shoot sniper who possesses an effortless, high release, has yet to shoot below 40% from downtown with Boston.
The Virginia product connected on 41.6% of his triples this past season while contributing 8.5 points per game on a Celtics squad that hoped to repeat as NBA champions.
That said, trading Hauser would benefit Boston from a cost-cutting standpoint, which explains why Kirschenbaum has a hunch the franchise could center its next trade around the proven sharpshooter.
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