NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason targets for the Boston Celtics
By Dre Elder
1. Gordon Hayward
By now, you’ve heard Gordon Hayward to Boston is almost a guarantee. Many point to his connection with Celtics coach Brad Stevens. Stevens recruited and coached Hayward at Butler. We’ve all seen how much relationships matter in the NBA. See the departures of LeBron James (twice), Kevin Durant, and Dwyane Wade from their respective teams. The Utah Jazz are not a huge draw for free agents, so they can ill afford to lose Hayward without compensation. They’re fresh off a 51-win season.
The Boston Celtics will take a huge leap forward by signing Hayward away from the Jazz. He’s a 26-year-old star who’s prime is still in front of him. Most importantly, they could nab Hayward without giving up anything in return. Boston could still pursue another big target via trade. How much better are they with Hayward in the lineup. Well, Jae Crowder is a very good supplemental player as is Avery Bradley. Neither have the ceiling of Hayward. Hayward is a 6-foot-8 wing who can score from anywhere on the floor. He put up 21.9 points per game on nearly 40 percent shooting from distance last season. Hayward also finished in the top 20 for Offensive and Defensive Win Shares. In other words, he gets you buckets and stops.
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Hayward is widely believed to be at the top of Danny Ainge’s wishlist. Brad Stevens’ relationship with Hayward has to give the Celtics the inside track. Boston won 53 games without Hayward. So future contention will not be a concern. But the Jazz can offer Hayward approximately $48 million more than any other team. And they say money talks, we’ll see soon enough if Hayward listens.