Boston Celtics Rumors: Gordon Hayward sparking interest from Cavaliers
The verdict: don’t do it
After a season as full of disappointment as this one, it’s natural to look at knee-jerk solutions. Maybe Boston needs to do something somewhat major.
But this is not the move.
A move like this would make sense if ditching Hayward was addition by subtraction. Maybe that would be true if he was still playing like game-10 Hayward, but he’s far removed from that. He hasn’t been himself, but he’s still helping the team. Shipping off Hayward alongside multiple other assets would be a huge minus for the Celtics.
The Cleveland folks are arguing that this makes the most sense for the Boston Celtics if Kyrie Irving leaves in free agency – but they’re missing something somewhat obvious.
If Irving leaves, you desperately want Hayward on the team. He’s one of the few Celtics who really makes his teammates better when he has the ball in his hands, and could slot in very nicely in a point-forward role for the starting unit.
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A team centered around just Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum doesn’t have nearly enough to remain competitive.
Hayward has been a useful player for the Celtics this year, and figures to be better next year. Don’t give up on him and make a bad trade just because it feels like we need to do something.
The best version of the Boston Celtics includes a healthy and thriving Gordon Hayward.