Jaylen Brown. Jayson Tatum. Robert Williams. Sam Hauser.
That’s the record.
Over the past 5 seasons, solely these 4 gamers have been drafted (or signed after going undrafted) and re-signed after their rookie offers have been accomplished, however Sam Hauser may need essentially the most spectacular story.
After going undrafted final summer season popping out of Virginia (together with three seasons at Marquette and a purple shirt yr), Hauser signed a two-way take care of Boston and shuttled between the massive membership and Maine final season earlier than changing it right into a rest-of-the-regular-season contract after the commerce deadline. In a few days, he’ll sign a reported three-year, $6 million deal (two years assured) with the Celtics.
Boston’s dedication to Hauser is simply one other signal of President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens’ philosophy of focusing on and investing in gamers long run. Whether or not it’s prolonged extensions to Williams and Marcus Sensible final summer season or buying and selling for Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon with a number of years left on their offers, Stevens has been decisive in recognizing what he needs and locking them in.
Hauser would be the elder statesman of this July’s Summer season League squad in Las Vegas, however even with the ink drying on a long run deal, he’s nonetheless going to The Strip with an edge. “Simply to point out that I belong,” he mentioned because the Celtics full apply on the Auerbach Heart earlier than heading out west. “Clearly with the brand new deal, I’m going to be right here for a pair extra years, so I simply wish to show what I belong, hopefully work a approach into the rotation by some means, a way. I’m simply going to point out what I can do finest.”
What Hauser does finest is shoot. In a really small pattern measurement, Hauser hit 19-of-44 threes in his restricted motion within the NBA, however these numbers weren’t an anomaly. In 13 video games within the G-League, he averaged 20 factors on 46% capturing (41% from behind the arc). Together with his prolonged vary, the 6’8” Hauser can be an efficient again door cutter.
On Thursday, Hauser laughed at social media comparisons to former Celtic Gordon Hayward. He’s received an extended approach to go to turning into an All-Star, however motivated by the crew’s religion in him, he understands his path to success.
“Initially, it begins on the defensive finish. We had the #1 or #2 protection all yr final yr, in order that’s clearly a focus of our crew,” Hauser mentioned. “Simply being a fantastic crew defender and serving to out the place I can after which clearly with the ability to play subsequent to guys like JT and JB and utilizing my capturing to my benefit and open up the ground for them.”
