In the ever-competitive landscape of the NBA, roster decisions can make or break a franchise’s championship aspirations. As the Los Angeles Lakers look to bolster their lineup around superstars Luka Doncic and LeBron James, a potential trade target has emerged: Sam Hauser of the Boston Celtics. ESPN recently highlighted Hauser as an attractive option for the Lakers, noting the abundance of high-quality two-way shooters in the NBA market. However, for the Celtics, parting ways with Hauser—especially in a deal with their arch-rivals—would be nothing short of a catastrophic mistake.
The Lakers’ Pursuit of Elite Shooting
The Lakers are in a critical phase of roster construction, aiming to maximize the championship window of their star duo. According to ESPN, the supply of sharpshooting talent in the NBA is plentiful, making players with elite three-point shooting skills relatively affordable. For instance, Luke Kennard, ranked fourth in corner three-point shooting over the past five seasons (minimum 100 attempts), signed a one-year, $11 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks. Similarly, Norman Powell (eighth) was traded for a modest return, and Seth Curry (ninth) remains a free agent. ESPN suggests that players like Grayson Allen (10th) and Sam Hauser (12th) could be acquired without excessive trade complexity.
For the Lakers, adding a player like Hauser—a proven three-point sniper—would provide much-needed spacing to complement Doncic’s playmaking and James’ versatility. However, while the Lakers stand to gain significantly from such a move, the Celtics would be risking their future by letting Hauser go.
Why Trading Hauser Would Be a Disaster for Boston
Trading any player to the Lakers, a historic rival with whom tensions run deep, is a risky proposition. The Celtics already saw Marcus Smart don a different jersey, and the idea of directly aiding a competitor like Los Angeles in a blockbuster trade is fraught with emotional and strategic peril. But beyond the optics of a Lakers-Celtics swap, trading Hauser to any team would be a grave misstep for Boston.
Hauser’s Elite Shooting Prowess
Sam Hauser is not just a good shooter—he’s one of the best in the NBA. His career three-point shooting percentage has never dipped below 40%, a mark he’s maintained consistently from high school through college and into the pros. Last season, Hauser joined an exclusive group of just 19 players who shot at least 40% from three on a minimum of 5.0 attempts per game (in at least 50 games). The season before that (2023-24), he was one of only 20 players to achieve this feat.
More impressively, Hauser is one of just six players to appear in both seasons’ elite shooting groups, alongside Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Norman Powell, Malik Beasley, and Grayson Allen. Even when adjusting the threshold to 4.0 three-point attempts per game in the 2022-23 season (where Hauser averaged 4.2 attempts and shot 41.8%), he remains in rare company. This consistency places Hauser among the NBA’s premier marksmen, a skill set that is invaluable in today’s three-point-driven league.
A Perfect Fit for Boston’s System
For the Celtics, a team built around high-volume three-point shooting under head coach Joe Mazzulla, Hauser is a dream asset. His ability to stretch the floor complements Boston’s star-heavy roster, creating space for Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and others to operate. Moreover, Hauser’s contract is a bargain, making him one of the most cost-effective contributors in the league. Trading away such a player—especially one who fits so seamlessly into the team’s system—would undermine Boston’s championship formula.
The Risks of Empowering a Rival
If the Celtics were to entertain a trade with the Lakers, they might be tempted by future draft picks, betting on Los Angeles’ potential decline as LeBron James ages. However, this gamble ignores the immediate boost Hauser would provide to the Lakers’ offense. Pairing his elite shooting with Doncic’s playmaking and James’ all-around brilliance could elevate Los Angeles into a legitimate championship contender, directly threatening Boston’s title hopes. The psychological toll of strengthening a historic rival, combined with the loss of a key contributor, would be a double blow to the Celtics’ organization.
Conclusion
Sam Hauser is not just another trade chip—he’s a cornerstone of the Celtics’ identity as a three-point shooting juggernaut. His elite shooting, cost-effective contract, and seamless fit within Boston’s system make him untouchable, especially in a potential deal with the Lakers. While Los Angeles is wise to target players like Hauser to improve their roster, the Celtics must hold firm. Trading Hauser would not only weaken Boston’s championship core but also risk fueling a rival’s resurgence. For the Celtics, letting Hauser go would be nothing short of an organizational disaster.