As fans filled Dynasty Sports at Northshore Mall to meet Sam Hauser, they brought an array of memorabilia, from miniature Larry O’Brien trophies to replicas of Banner 18.
While getting their championship gear signed, many fans brought up their hopes for another title.
“A lot,” Hauser chuckled when asked how many times the question came up. “Probably about 75% of the people.”
Heading into the 2024-25 season, the Celtics are favorites to become just the fifth team this century to repeat as champions and the first since the Golden State Warriors in 2017-18. They’re set to return 15 of their 17 players from last season’s championship run.
“It’s pretty crazy that we were able to bring everybody back, but I think everybody wanted to be back and wanted to try and do this again, and I’m glad the front office was able to make it work,” Hauser said. “I think everybody is pretty happy with everybody just staying in Boston, and we can be together for another year, and obviously, we have a lot to build off of, so it will be fun.”
Brad Stevens and the front office did not mess around this offseason. Boston handed Jayson Tatum the biggest contract in NBA history—a five-year, $315 million extension—and gave Derrick White a four-year, $125 million deal. They also re-signed Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman, and Neemias Queta, and wrapped things up by extending Sam Hauser for four years at $45 million.
Hauser is a unique success story for Boston. After going undrafted from Virginia, he started his rookie season on a two-way deal with the Celtics. Halfway through the season, he signed a standard NBA contract, becoming the first Celtic two-way player to make that switch during his rookie year.
Stevens and the Celtics clearly saw potential in Hauser. After his rookie season, they declined his $1.6 million option and offered him a three-year deal worth just under $6 million. Hauser then played on one of the league’s best-value contracts for two seasons, making about $1.8 million annually, before earning his big payday this offseason.
“Pretty special that they gave me an opportunity early on when nobody else did, and I just tried to run with it,” said Hauser. “They believed in me, and I’m just glad I can be here and be with this team and have another chance to win it all.”
Ironically, as Hauser signed championship memorabilia about 90 miles from the Portland Expo Center, where his professional career began, he wore a plain white t-shirt with green lettering that read “Maine Basketball.”
“I have, like, two of these shirts, and I just keep them around,” Hauser said. “It just reminds me of kind of where it all started, here in Boston, or I guess in Portland, Maine. But yeah, it’s cool.”
Hauser has come a long way from Maine. The Celtics took a chance on him after he went undrafted in 2021, and now he’s a key part of their championship rotation, with his role secured for the foreseeable future.
At 25 years old, Hauser has shown steady improvement each season. Once primarily recognized for his shooting, he’s now demonstrated his value as a well-rounded three-and-D player. As a key fixture in the Celtics’ rotation, he’ll be crucial in their pursuit of Banner 19.
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