Inside The Celtics

D.J. MacLeay Gets Emotional about Sam Hauser's Extension: 'Immense Joy'

Bobby Krivitsky

Apr 24, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) shoots for three points against Miami Heat guard Delon Wright (4) in the second quarter during game two of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) shoots for three points against Miami Heat guard Delon Wright (4) in the second quarter during game two of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports / David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
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Sunday brought news of the Celtics and Sam Hauser agreeing to a four-year, $45 million contract extension. It's a deal several of his teammates he reached the NBA summit alongside last season took to Instagram to celebrate.

Hauser's extension is a success story for the entire organization. After arriving as an undrafted free agent in 2021, he climbed out of the G League to become a rotation fixture in Boston.

The six-foot-eight sharpshooter knocked down 42.4 percent of the threes he launched last season, which ranks fourth among players with at least 400 attempts, per NBA.com.

His evolution into an effective two-way wing who consistently got the better of opponents trying to challenge his on-ball defense helped the Celtics capture Banner 18.

While countless coaches had a hand in his ascension, one who got to work with him upon Hauser's first signing with Boston got emotional while discussing his contract extension.

"Immense joy because he was my first guy, and it's really cool," said Celtics' assistant coach D.J. MacLeay, the bench boss for Boston's Summer League squad, on the heels of the Sin City's 103-98 loss to the 76ers in their final tilt in Las Vegas.

With Hauser signed for the long term, the reigning NBA champions have eight rotation players from their title team under contract beyond the upcoming season. 

Further Reading

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Consolation Round Loss to 76ers

Summer League Struggles Offer Valuable Lessons to Jordan Walsh

D.J. MacLeay Shares How Baylor Scheierman Impressed Him in Celtics Win vs. Lakers

Jaylen Brown 'Wasn't Surprised' by Olympic Snub: 'All the Motivation in the World'

Celtics Rookie Anton Watson Shares Brad Stevens' Message to Him

Celtics' Coaching Staff Changes Match Theme of Boston's Offseason

Celtics Roster, Salary Cap Breakdown After Whirlwind Start to Free Agency

New Details about Plan to Sell Majority Stake in Celtics Revealed

Brad Stevens Shares His Outlook on Celtics' Draft Picks

Al Horford, Raising Cane's, and a Region that Loves Him

On Derrick White and the Fuel for Unprecedented Journey to NBA's Best Role Player

Jayson Tatum, an NBA Champion Entering Peak of His Powers

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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