Sam Hauser has secured a four-year, $45 million contract extension with the Boston Celtics, according to multiple sources. The forward, who was undrafted in 2021 from the University of Virginia, has become an integral reserve for the reigning 2024 NBA champions. Over his three-season tenure, Sam Hauser has impressed with a shooting accuracy exceeding 42% from beyond the arc and consistent defensive contributions off the bench.
The Celtics have prioritized retaining their core players this offseason. They swiftly agreed to a supermax extension with Jayson Tatum and followed it up with a four-year, $125.9 million extension for Derrick White. Additionally, Xavier Tillman re-signed on a minimum contract. Presently, Oshae Brissett and Svi Mykhailiuk are the only players from last season’s roster not set to return.
Hauser’s new contract adds to Boston’s significant financial commitments, leading to substantial luxury-tax bills and apron concerns in the future. Although Hauser will earn $2 million this season, the Celtics are already above the second apron line. By the 2025-26 season, when all the extensions take effect, the team’s salary obligations are projected to be around $225 million, accompanied by an estimated $210 million luxury tax bill, according to ESPN.
To mitigate these financial strains, the Celtics plan to dip below the second apron line by the 2026-27 season, with Kristaps Porzingis’s free agency in 2026 providing an opportunity to adjust their salary cap. Despite the immediate financial implications, the Celtics are confident in Hauser’s potential. At 26, he has room to grow into a more prominent role, making his extension a strategic investment for the team’s future.
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