The Boston Celtics will be looking a lot different for the 2025-26 season after multiple financial moves had to be made in order to stay out of the NBA's second apron.
To make things even more difficult, the Celtics will also need to make adjustments to stay relevant in the NBA standings while superstar forward Jayson Tatum recovers from an Achilles tear.
Amid the difficult decisions, trade rumors spiraled throughout Boston involving players such as Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, and Sam Hauser.
Sam Hauser addresses offseason trade rumors during Celtics media day
The Celtics inked a new, four-year, $45 million deal with Sam Hauser during the 2024 offseason. Just a year later, the 27-year-old's name was floated around in trade rumors.
During media day this week, the former undrafted free agent didn't hold back his emotions while addressing these rumors.
"You try to block it out but you really can’t, to be honest with you," Hauser said, according to MassLive's Souichi Terada. "But I know it’s part of the business. I was prepared for whatever. If I was gonna get shipped, great. I stayed, thankfully. I’m glad to be here. But even if I were shipped I had no hard feelings here. They gave me an opportunity when no one else did. They extended me. They had to do what they had to do and I understood it, but I’m glad I’m here, to say the least."
Hauser's been a consistent sharpshooter who's come off the bench for the Celtics over the last few years. In 2024-25, he continued to be Boston's most consistent three-point shooter, averaging 8.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and leading the team while shooting 41.6% from deep.
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