Gordon Hayward signs with Celtics: 5 questions we have

2. It’s the Hayward – Stevens show, how high is their ceiling?

Unfinished business. That’s the mantra Gordon Hayward and Brad Stevens left over from their college days. The duo of Hayward and Stevens led Butler to a National Title Game during the 2009-2010 College Basketball season coming up just short to Duke in the finale. Part of the decision for Hayward to sign with Boston was the relationship he built with Brad Stevens. Saying no to the first coach to ever recruit you to college was going to be a tough proposition.

Stevens has elevated every player ever brought his way. Stevens helped Hayward get selected ninth overall in the 2010 NBA Draft from a relatively smaller school. Stevens has even made the 5-foot-9 Isaiah Thomas into an MVP candidate. Thomas averaged 28.9 points per game with Boston compared to 15.2 with Phoenix. The same can be said for Jae Crowder who has turned into a really good player compared to his days in Dallas where he had a tough time getting on the floor. Are the Celtics really that good or is Brad Stevens a once and a lifetime head coach?

Unlike some Celtics, Hayward was able to become a star without Stevens. Jazz coach Quin Synder really deserves credit for working with Hayward as he produced 21.9 points per game this past year. Hayward also converted .471 percent from the field and .398 percent from 3-point range. However, those efficiency numbers will likely improve now that he is surrounded by a much better Celtics roster.

While Rudy Gobert is a great player, he is limited offensively. Hayward’s scoring opportunities with Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Al Horford, and one of the best coaches in the NBA Brad Stevens make life a lot easier. The Celtics won 53 games without Hayward and now likely elevate to a 60-plus win team. Factoring in the woes going on in the Eastern Conference, the C’s have a real shot at the Finals in year one. Given the fact that Stevens already knows Hayward so well, the transition to Boston will likely be effortless.

Boston not only has a chance to make the Finals now, but this could be a ten-year dynasty. Danny Ainge has done an incredible job flushing the Celtics with young talent including Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Brown and Tatum hold the keys to the Celtics future and look like promising young prospects. Let’s not forget the fact that Boston also has 800 first round picks and could flip for another star like Kristaps Porzingis possibly.