NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason needs for the Boston Celtics

Jul 5, 2013; Waltham, MA, USA; Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge, left, and owner Wyc Grousbeck, right, listen as new Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens answers a question during a news conference announcing Stevens new position. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 8, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) handles the ball against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Convince Gordon Hayward to join the Celtics

The Gordon Hayward-Celtics marriage is something that needs to happen. Stevens coached Hayward during his collegiate days at Butler. Think about it, out of all the 347 Division 1 schools that exist, Hayward decided to attend Butler for the chance to play for Brad Stevens. Do we really think he can’t recruit him to the Celtics this offseason with the chance to play for a ready-made contender with an ultra-bright young core also intact?

Brad Stevens is partially responsible for elevating Hayward in the 2010 NBA Draft to the No. 9 overall pick after Butler lost to Duke in the national title game. Stevens has elevated even his old college program as Butler has since left the Horizon League to join the Atlantic 10 Conference. An argument could be made that no one knows Gordon Hayward better than Brad Stevens and the best of Hayward’s NBA career is still yet to come if he joins the Celtics.

Boston lacks a true go-to scoring wing. Jae Crowder and Jaylen Brown are really nice players but do not possess the scoring prowess of a Gordon Hayward. Adding a scorer like Hayward that will give you 21.9 points per game including a 39.8 percent clip from deep will raise the Celtics to another level, maybe even on par with Cleveland. Convincing him to sign with Boston may be easier said than done.

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The Jazz have been a team on the upswing and Hayward has been invested in building a strong core there. However, if Hayward wants to give himself the best chance to win a championship, there’s no question the Celtics are the home for him.

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