Brad Stevens signed Sam Hauser in 2021 after the sharpshooter had gone undrafted despite a strong season for Virginia. Hauser was originally signed on a two-way deal but quickly earned himself a full-scale contract with the Boston Celtics and has quickly established himself as an important part of the team’s rotation.
Hauser averaged 9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game last season, as he helped the Celtics secure the 18th championship in franchise history. As such, it makes sense that Stevens signed the sharpshooter to a four-year $45 million contract extension earlier this summer, all of which is fully guaranteed. When speaking at a recent meet-and-greet at Dynasty Sports in Peabody, Hauser showed gratitude for the opportunities the Celtics have provided him.
“It’s really cool,” Hauser said. “I just played for the love of the game, and this is sometimes just the benefit of that. Pretty special that they gave me an opportunity early on when nobody else did, and I just tried to run with it. They believed in me, and I’m just glad I could be here and be with this team and have another chance to win it all.”
Joe Mazzulla’s roster is built around perimeter play. Hauser’s movement shooting makes the second unit a dangerous prospect for NBA defenses. He has also proven himself to be an above-average defender, which fits with the team’s identity as a stringent defensive unit.
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Boston will enter the new NBA season with the goal of securing back-to-back championships. Having Hauser locked down for the long-term will allow him to play without pressure and make an impact when required. The undrafted shooter is now an NBA champion, and could repay the Celtics by helping them to another banner next year.
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