Forget the whispers about minor tweaks, because one wild prediction for the Celtics has Sam Hauser heading to OKC for Cason Wallace and a stack of draft picks. This isn’t just a bench filler; we’re talking about a potential game-changer that could redefine the Celtics’ backcourt defense. Grant Burfeind floated this out there and, honestly, it hits different. Wallace, a young perimeter defender who absolutely balled out for the Thunder last year, sinking 2.0 threes per game at a blistering 48.4% clip during their playoff run, feels like such a Celtics guy. Imagine Derrick White and Wallace locking down guards like Brunson, Mitchell, and Cade every single night. That’s a scary thought for opponents.
The Big Swings Versus Playing It Cool
While that Wallace trade has everyone buzzing, not every prediction is a blockbuster. Jeff Clark, though, he’s not holding back either. He thinks the Celtics are absolutely primed to use Paul George’s contract and a handful of picks to snag the next superstar who hits the trade market. Whether that player is upset with their current gig or their team is drowning in that 2nd Apron purgatory, Clark believes Boston is ready to pounce. That’s a massive swing, aiming for another star to line up alongside Tatum and George in a dream scenario that could also include Mitchell Robinson. Talk about high stakes.
On the flip side, some folks are preaching patience. Jake Issenberg is playing it cool, saying unless Steph Curry suddenly becomes available, we might not see anything major until next offseason. His reasoning? Stay under the luxury tax for one more season, keep that “maximum optionality” intact for the future. Though, he’d be “ecstatic” if Payton Pritchard locks down his three-year, $67 million contract extension he’s eligible for in October. Ian Inangelo is also thinking smaller, looking for just another scoring guard off the bench, nothing wild like a Trey Murphy trade. Bench scoring, that’s his focus.
The Sam Hauser Conundrum
Sam Hauser’s name keeps coming up, and not just in the Cason Wallace trade talk. Trevor Hass thinks Hauser, Luka Garza, and a pick could be dealt for Cameron Johnson. Johnson is stylistically a great fit and Hass calls him “one of the more underrated players” in the league. Nate Moskowitz also sees a Hauser trade on the table, not for a star, but to open up minutes for guys the team is investing in: Hugo, Walsh, Scheierman, and Harper Jr. Hauser’s 25 minutes per game is a big chunk of playing time to redistribute, so it’s not hard to see that move making sense for player development.
So, what does all this mean for the Celtics as the trade deadline looms? This isn’t just about tweaking the margins; it’s about defining the team’s identity for the long haul. Are they going big and bold for another superstar or a defensive anchor like Wallace? Or are they playing the long game, preserving cap flexibility and developing their young talent? The choices made in the coming weeks could shape Boston’s entire season. Keep your eyes glued to the news, because the next move could be a seismic one!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Celtics Blog.
Leave a Reply