Report: Boston Celtics have ‘strong’ odds to land Gordon Hayward this summer

The Boston Celtics appear to be the front-runner to landing Gordon Hayward this summer. The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor thinks the odds are ‘strong’ the Celtics pry Hayward from Utah.

Gordon Hayward is coming, Gordon Hayward is coming, Gordon Hayward is coming; Boston Celtics fans are likely saying this somewhere. That Celtics pipe dream might actually become a reality. While much of the storyline this week is focused on the NBA Finals, the Celtics’ focus is on landing Gordon Hayward in free agency in an attempt to triumph over the Cavaliers in the East in 2017-18.

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor said in a recent interview that he believes the Celtics have a ‘strong’ chance to get Gordon Hayward.

"“I think they’re pretty strong I mean, strong in the sense that you can’t say that about very many free agents right, O’Connor said via The Toucher and Rich Show. I think often times it’s a hunch like with Al Horford last year it might have just been like, oh they have a shot, but with Hayward it’s like yeah Brad Stevens and Hayward have been close for a very long time. Brad Stevens was the first guy to recruit Hayward. Everything Hayward or Hayward’s family has ever said about, you know, their feeling about Butler and Stevens says that they have a long relationship that has value. And then not to mention the fact that which team has an easier path to the NBA Finals to winning a championship? It’s Boston because they are in the East.”"

He’s right, the Hayward, Celtics marriage kind of seems inevitable. If Brad Stevens was able to recruit Hayward to Butler of all places, what makes you think he can’t recruit him to one of the most decorated franchises in the history of the NBA? Landing Hayward is the number one priority in Boston and rightfully so. The Celtics desperately need a scoring wing to take this team to the next level.

If Boston strikes out on Hayward, Danilo Gallinari could be a plan B. O’Connor adds that Boston would be wise to use up their cap space one way or another so they aren’t stuck in negotiating extensions for Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley a year too soon. Gallinari opted out of his player option but does have a lengthy injury history to consider. Once Boston goes into extension talks with Thomas and Bradley, they will be locked into this current roster that frankly isn’t close to catching Cleveland just yet.

In regards to the Jazz, the status of Joe Ingles and George Hill plays a big role in Hayward’s decision. O’Connor also added a compelling nugget about Hayward’s dynamic with the Jazz.

"“It just so happens that the two guys that Hayward is reportedly closest with on the team, George Hill and Joe Ingles they’re both free agents too.”"

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

Hill and Ingles are the people who are the closest to Hayward on the Jazz. If his closest buddies George Hill and Joe Ingles depart via free agency, it could make Hayward’s decision to jettison Utah a bit easier. Obviously, the Jazz would love to have Hayward back but will have their hands full in trying to keep him in Salt Lake City.