The Boston Celtics' main priority this offseason will be saving money. They have been above the NBA's second tax apron for two consecutive years and want to avoid doing that for a third straight year.
That means multiple players could be on the table this offseason. The names that have come up most often are Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, and that's because their contracts are expensive. One that hasn't come up as often but would make sense is Sam Hauser.
Hauser is about to start a four-year deal worth $45 million. That contract is a lot, and it will also run for several years. Because it's not as expensive as Holiday's or Porzingis', the Celtics could look to move it first.
Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30)
Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30)
Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
One team that could help the Celtics get off his deal is the Philadelphia 76ers. PhillyVoice's Adam Aaronson proposed a three-way trade between the Sixers, Celtics, and Chicago Bulls that would send Hauser to Philadelphia.
Sixers get: Hauser
Celtics get: Lonnie Walker IV, three second-round picks
Bulls get: Kelly Oubre Jr.
Hauser has been one of the more impressive stories in Boston. After going undrafted, he worked his way up from a G League player to a rotation player on a title team. He played an essential role in how the Celtics have stayed title contenders for the last three years.
It would be hard to part ways with Hauser, but the Celtics would reunite with a familiar face in Walker, who played for them in last year's preseason. If he doesn't work out, the Celtics can let his contract expire in 2026.