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Boston Celtics Green: Brad Stevens Impressed by Gordon Hayward

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

Dec 27, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) celebrates after the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) celebrates after the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens is talking up the growth of Utah Jazz star Gordon Hayward.

While the Boston Celtics hope to get back into the win column Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz, fans at TD Garden will get a chance to see a player who could wear the jersey next season.

Jazz star Gordon Hayward will enter free agency in the offseason and the Celtics are rumored as a potential destination.  The fuel of those rumors is the fact that Brad Stevens coached Hayward at Butler.

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While the Celtics coach is not at bay to talk about a player under contract (due to NBA rules) with another team, Stevens did take time to applaud the growth of Hayward in Utah.

"“He’s just getting better every year,” Stevens said via Masslive.com.  “Again, I kind of go back to when we recruited him – he was a skinny tennis player who could do some things on the basketball court.  Now he’s got a well-rounded game.  I think their staff has really done a great job with him and I think he’s continued to work and progress.  He’s a really good player.”"

At 26, Hayward has emerged as one of the NBA’s top all-round wings which makes him very appealing in Boston.  The Celtics have cleared enough money to offer Hayward a maximum contract this summer.  Because of the Stevens connection, Boston may be an appealing destination for him as well.

Related Story: Boston Celtics Have ‘Real Interest’ in Gordon Hayward…Again

In 28 games played this season, Gordon Hayward is averaging 22.4 points and 3.7 points. Depending on what other pieces the Celtics are able to obtain the rest of the season and offseason, adding Hayward could push Jae Crowder to the bench or allow for him to play more power forward.

Either scenario would be interesting.

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