Gordon Hayward appears to be Celtics No. 1 target this offseason

The Boston Celtics are expected to heavily pursue Gordon Hayward via free agency.

Paul George? No thanks. Jimmy Butler? Not quite. While the Celtics have been linked to a possible trade between Paul George and Jimmy Butler, Boston reportedly has their eyes set elsewhere first. It appears that Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward will be the Boston Celtics first priority this summer. Signing Hayward would allow Boston to keep all of their coveted assets while just giving up cap space to snag him.

Chris Mannix of the Vertical recently stated that he believes Hayward will be Boston’s No. 1 target this summer.

"“The next step for this team, that’s got to be Gordon Hayward,” Mannix said on CSNNE’s “Celtics Pregame Live.” “That is a guy who can help this team immediately. And that’s a guy I believe is Boston’s No. 1 target this summer.”"

This is a similar approach the Celtics took a year ago when they kept the No. 3 overall pick Jaylen Brown and paired him with free agent signee Al Horford. Co-Owner Wyc Grousbeck has already come out and said the Celtics first overall pick is not for sale unless it’s a godfather offer back in return. That means the pairing of Markelle Fultz and Gordon Hayward seems likely if Boston has their way.

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Hayward, 27, has played the first seven years of his NBA career with the Utah Jazz. It’s very possible Hayward decides to stay with Utah as he would be leaving around $45 million on the table if he jettisons Salt Lake City. The Celtics infatuation with Hayward may be a product of the Brad Stevens connection. Stevens, Boston’s head coach, mentored Hayward during his collegiate days at Butler. Playing for his beloved college coach and joining an already built contender in the Eastern Conference will be tough for Hayward to say no to.