Sam Hauser has signed a four-year, $45 million contract extension with the Boston Celtics, as reported by multiple sources. Hauser, who went undrafted in 2021 from the University of Virginia, joined the Celtics that same summer. Over the past three seasons, he has become a crucial bench player for the 2024 NBA champions, boasting a 3-point shooting percentage of over 42% and offering reliable defense.
This offseason, the Celtics have focused on retaining their core players. They secured a supermax extension for Jayson Tatum immediately and followed up with a four-year, $125.9 million extension for Derrick White. Xavier Tillman re-signed for the minimum, leaving Oshae Brissett and Svi Mykhailiuk as the only players from last year’s roster not returning.
Despite Hauser’s relatively modest $2 million salary for this season, the Celtics are currently above the second luxury tax apron. With the new extensions, the team is projected to have approximately $225 million in salary commitments for the 2025-26 season, along with an estimated $210 million luxury tax bill, according to ESPN.
To manage their finances, the Celtics likely plan to dip below the second apron by the 2026-27 season, especially with Kristaps Porzingis potentially entering free agency in 2026. However, in the short term, they face significant financial challenges. Hauser, at 26, is seen as a player with potential for a larger role than his current one. The Celtics hope that his development will justify the extension, making it a valuable investment as they navigate future roster decisions driven by the second apron constraints.
