"Just burning money" - Celtics fans react to Sam Hauser signing $45 million contract

The 2024 NBA champions Boston Celtics were able to maintain their championship-winning core from the 2023-24 season. However, in doing so, they have sacrificed their financial flexibility. Aside from keeping their stars under contract, they also secured one of their role players.

That role player is floor-spacing forward Sam Hauser and according to Adrian Wojnarowski, they signed him on a four-year deal worth $45 million.

Several fans had something to say about Boston's financial management and they shared those opinions on X (formerly Twitter).

"JESUS! The Celtics are just burning money!" one fan said.

"Where the hell are they getting this money from," another fan said.

"Celtics going bankrupt," one fan said.

Meanwhile, several fans hyped up Sam Hauser and also predicted that Boston is a lock to win back-to-back titles after keeping a largely similar roster from last season.

"It's happening. CELTICS GOING BACK TO BACK," one fan said.

"Bag. Well deserved," another fan said.

"Well deserved for this 3-point specialist!" one fan said.

Sam Hauser was a key player for Boston throughout the previous season. He played 79 games and averaged 22.0 minutes per game in head coach Joe Mazzulla's system. In those 79 games, he put up 9.0 points per game while shooting 44.6% from the field and 42.4% from beyond the arc.

Hauser also got his share of the action in the Playoffs. He contributed 5.4 points per game throughout the postseason and scored in double-figures three times. Twice against the Miami Heat in the opening round (Game 1 and Game 5) and once in Game 4 against the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals.

---

Where does Sam Hauser fit in the Boston Celtics lineup?

While Sam Hauser is far from the biggest star on the team, he has carved out a valuable role for himself in that system. As a small forward, he shares the same position as the superstar duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum although Brown also plays shooting guard and Tatum is sometimes listed as a power forward.

There is no reason to think that Joe Mazzulla will go with a different starting lineup next season barring injuries. As such, expect Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to be the starting five.

This also means that Al Horford, Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser will be the first guys coming off the bench when subs are needed.

Hauser will likely be inserted into the lineup for his ability to space the floor. He won't be given a lot of ball-handling or playmaking duties but will get plenty of touches thanks to his ability to score.