The Boston Celtics need to shed more salary this summer, and if the Miami Heat are interested, they could probably get Sam Hauser in a trade to replace Duncan Robinson. If the price is right and the Celtics are willing to negotiate, adding Hauser to the roster could be a perfect way for the Heat to rebalance their roster.
Miami got Simone Fontecchio back in the sign-and-trade deal with the Detroit Pistons, shipping out Robinson, but Hauser would be a huge upgrade, perhaps even over Robinson. That type of trade could significantly help the Heat as they look to push for the playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference next season.
The question is, what would a deal look like?
What would a Sam Hauser-Miami Heat trade look like?
The Celtics just made a pair of free agency signings—Luka Garzan and Josh Minott—and are now back above the second apron. However, based on the way they’ve operated so far this summer, they do not plan to stay there.
That means more trades are coming, which could provide the Heat with a perfect opportunity to swoop in and try to steal Hauser away from Boston.
Hauser’s pricetag is probably relatively high, considering how elite of a shooter he is (and how great his contract is). He’s slated to make $10 million next season, but the Heat have a $16.1 million trade exception from the Jimmy Butler deal. That’s more than enough to absorb Hauser’s contract.
Miami would probably have to throw a solid haul at the Celtics in order to pry Hauser away from them, but it could be worth it.
Here’s what a potential deal could look like:
Heat get: Sam Hauser
Celtics get: Protected first-round pick
Maybe the Celtics would push for an unprotected picks, or maybe the Heat could leverage Boston’s need to get under the second apron and send them a heavily-protected first that could turn into seconds.
Regardless, the framework of a deal is there: Draft capital to Boston, Hauser to Miami.
Why would Sam Hauser help the Heat?
Hauser has shot 40% from three-point range every season of his career, from the pros to college to high school. He’s one of the best shooters in the NBA and is a more than passable defender.
Adding that type of three-point threat to the lineup next to Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo could be perfect. It’s just up to Miami whether or not they are willing to pull the trigger.