For a majority of the NBA, the offseason entails landing a new star player or upgrading through the draft. For the Boston Celtics, who are fresh off winning their 18th championship after prevailing over the Dallas Mavericks in five games in the 2024 NBA Finals, this summer is more about maintenance than splashy moves.
Since the C's have a lot of money invested in their core, they'll face tax penalties due to the league's new CBA. This will make it harder for Boston to trade and match salaries, yet it has the advantage of already owning a championship-caliber roster.
So, the Celtics could hone in on extending and re-signing some of their current guys in order to bring another title back to Beantown. Here are three players the Celtics should return after winning the NBA Finals.
Sam Hauser
Most of the Celtics' key pieces are already under contract.
Star Jaylen Brown received the richest contract in NBA history last summer, guard Jrue Holiday was extended right before the playoffs, and center Kristaps Porzingis has another year left on his current deal.
But, part of what made the Celtics so good during the 2023-24 season was their depth in the starting lineup and off the bench. Forward Sam Hauser went undrafted in 2021 and has since become a knock-down shooter with which opponents must familiarize themselves.
During the past regular season, Hauser averaged 9.0 points and 3.5 rebounds in 22 minutes per outing. More importantly, he shot 42.4% from deep—the fourth-best percentage in the league for players who attempted at least 400 triples.
When Brown and fellow Celtics star Jayson Tatum attracted the attention of defenses, Hauser was close by and ready to catch and shoot when called upon. Having a 3-point threat like that is essential for a team with aggressive stars who draw double teams and extra defensive help. And for the C's, who especially love the long ball, Hauser is the perfect fit.
However, he can't make over-helping defenses pay if he isn't paid himself. The Celtics have until Saturday, June 29, to decide whether or not to pick up Hauser's team option.
This is a worthwhile move for the C's because it'd only cost around $2 million. It'd prevent him from hitting free agency and open the door to a potential extension.
Although Hauser isn't a household name, he shot 38% from 3-point land this postseason and nearly 43% from the field. He even played solid defense for someone who's often targeted by opposing star players. Simply put, letting Hauser walk would be a mistake, and the front office probably knows that.
Jayson Tatum
It's officially summer, and that means Boston could offer another record-breaking deal.
Brown had his last year, but Tatum is eligible for a five-year supermax extension worth up to $315 million starting in July. Given what the 26-year-old has been able to accomplish at a young age, this should be a no-brainer for the C's.
Tatum averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists (career-high) this regular season. His improved play-making boosted the Celtics throughout the playoffs, as he set a personal best with 6.3 assists per game. In Game 5 of the Finals, he finished with 31 points and 11 assists to capture his first ring, becoming the first Celtic ever to record over 30 points and 10 assists in a Finals game.
Like Brown, the two-way star is a franchise cornerstone. Therefore, he's worth the money and the CBA restrictions that stem from a big payday.
Boston would obviously love more financial flexibility, yet that's virtually impossible with its current roster. However, as the Celtics know, winning cures everything. A chance at another title, no matter the cost, is truly what Celtics ownership is concerned with.
As for Tatum, he's enjoying being on top of the world in Boston right now:
Derrick White
Guard Derrick White was once a Division II player in Colorado who wasn't thinking much about professional basketball. He's now an NBA champion and a fan-favorite of the Celtics faithful.
The 2023-24 campaign was the best of White's career. He averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and a career-high 1.2 blocks per game. The 29-year-old is arguably one of the best defensive guards in the league thanks to his shot-blocking, active hands, and fearless approach on that side of the ball.
White is reportedly seeking a contract extension with the Celtics this summer, which would stop him from entering free agency next offseason. While his potential four-year deal worth over $120 million would be another hit on Boston's books, White's shown that he's worth the trouble.
For any proof, take a look at Game 4 of Boston's first-round series with the Miami Heat. White dropped a career-high 38 points and demonstrated that even though he's not an All-Star, he's far beyond a role player.
His two-way abilities are crucial for the Celtics, especially when paired with a defensive guru like Holiday. If the Celtics are willing to spend loads of cash to keep Hauser, Tatum, and White around, there's a fair chance that they can continue to contend and keep their championship window open.
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