Inside The Celtics

Sam Hauser Grateful for Extension with Team That Gave Him His First Chance: 'Pretty Special'

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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When the Celtics raise Banner 18 to the TD Garden rafters before hosting the Knicks on opening night on Oct. 22, 15 of the 17 players from last season's title team, including those on two-way deals, will be there to see it settle in alongside the franchise's other 17 championship banners.

While trades could change the equation, Boston has eight rotation players who helped lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy signed beyond the upcoming campaign. The lone exception from its top six, which remains the most talented in the NBA, is Al Horford, who's now on a year-to-year basis but may very well return in 2025-26. He turns 39 next June.

One individual the Celtics no longer have to worry about replacing soon is Sam Hauser. The six-foot-eight sharpshooter, who entered this offseason on an expiring contract, signed a four-year, $45 million extension this summer.

At a meet and greet at Dynasty Sports at the North Shore Mall on Wednesday, Hauser, who signed multiple miniature NBA championship trophies, expressed his appreciation about extending his stay with the franchise that gave him his first NBA opportunity as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Virginia.

"Pretty special that they gave me an opportunity early on when nobody else did, and I just tried to run with it," said Hauser. "They believed in me, and I'm just glad I can be here and be with this team and have another chance to win it all."

Hauser also discussed Boston keeping nearly its entire title team intact, a rarity for a defending champion, regardless of sport.

"It's pretty crazy that we were able to bring everybody back, but I think everybody wanted to be back and wanted to try and do this again."

If the Celtics are successful in that endeavor, they'll become the first franchise to repeat as NBA champions since the Warriors. Golden State did so in 2017 and 2018 while Kevin Durant was suiting up alongside Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson.

Further Reading

Xavier Tillman Sr. Shares Celtics Star's Message Before NBA Finals Game 3

Brad Stevens Shares Encouraging Rehab Update on Kristaps Porzingis

Jayson Tatum Opens Up About 'Challenging and Humbling' Olympic Experience

Jrue Holiday Makes History in Team USA's Gold Medal Win

Fenway Sports Group Considering Buying the Celtics

Here's What to Know about Jaylen Brown's Boston XChange

Jayson Tatum Gets Candid about Relationship with Jaylen Brown

Celtics Rookie Anton Watson Shares Brad Stevens' Message to Him

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

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

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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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