The Boston Celtics are trying to do something unprecedented with their roster. Despite winning the NBA Championship, doubts about the team’s sustainability given the player’s contracts were prevalent. However, throughout the offseason, the C’s have made one thing perfectly clear. They are looking to build a dynasty and they don’t care about what the final bill looks like.
Boston has brought back most of its roster while operating under the confines of a far stricter Collective Bargaining Agreement. Understandably, the bill is huge. Retaining their superstar starting-five came with a heavy price.
Each player, at a relative All-Star level, was a $30 million a year minimum. But, the Celtics weren’t taking any shortcuts. Extending all of Derrick White , Jrue Holiday , Jaylen Brown , Jayson Tatum , and Kristaps Porzingis , they were ready to run it back.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Sam Hauser, Boston Celtics Updates
But now, they are going above and beyond to make sure they have the best chance possible at a repeat. Beyond their starting 5, management is now looking to retain most of its underrated depth by signing them to extensions as well. Whether all players remain on the squad, or GM Brad Stevens pulls another rabbit out of his hat remains to be seen. But, what isn’t in question is the team’s commitment to compete.
Sam Hauser becomes the latest Celtic to sign his extension
One of the most efficient shooters in the league, Sam Hauser is the latest player to return to the Celtics bench. The four-year, $45 million tag feels like a slight overpay, but as one of the best shooters under a coach like Joe Mazulla, the pairing makes sense. With his propensity for having a 3-point-heavy offense, Hauser fills right into the system. And as he showed last year, is ultra effective in it.
Coming into the league in 2021 as an undrafted signing by Boston, he is a huge success story for the team in green. For the season, his shooting splits have been hugely consistent at around 42%. Last season was no different as he went 42.4%, good for fourth in the league for all players with at least 400 attempts.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Sam Hauser, Boston Celtics Updates
While he doesn’t bring the same defensive intensity as Brown or Tatum, Sam’s offensive output negates his defensive deficiencies, especially with a host of A+ defenders around him.
A historic payroll for the Boston Celtics
The Celtics have been hard at work to extend their championship window. After 6 Conference Finals appearances in 8 years, they finally broke through to raise the Larry O’Brien. But, they aren’t content with just one. Instead, the 18-time NBA Champions, most in league history, are essentially running it back.
After signing Jrue Holiday and Kristpas Porzingis to extensions during the season, on the back of a history $305 million contract for Jaylen Brown, the team was ready to spend some more.
In Derrick White, they found a 4-year, $125 million contract for one of the best two-way guards in the league. Similarly, their best player, despite an up-and-down playoff run got a 5-year, $315 million contract, the largest in NBA history.
Due to the various on-the-edge moves, the team currently sits at a payroll of $225 million. As a result, their tax penalty is also coming in at $210 million, making them the costliest team in NBA history.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Sam Hauser, Boston Celtics Updates
However, the woes for Boston don’t end there. In a drive to maximize their current ceiling, the Celtics will give up on their 2032 and 2033 first-round picks, per the new CBA. Simply put, the Boston Celtics are cashing in all their chips right now to add to their illustrious history.
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