The Boston Celtics got bounced out of the Eastern Conference Finals by the dominant Cleveland Cavaliers, with all three home games resulting in the Celtics having never led the entire game. The Celtics did manage an inspiring game 3 win on the road without isaiah thomas, but it is clear that they need more firepower to overcome Cleveland. Now, the team will have key decisions re-signing Amir Johnson, Gerald Green, James Young, Jonas Jerebko and Kelly Olynyk.
Getting Gordon Hayward
For months there has been rumors saying that the Boston Celtics are planning on aggressively targeting Utah Jazz small forward Gordon Hayward in free agency.
Speculation is high on Hayward since he would be reunited with former college coach Brad Stevens. It would also give the team another player that can score, since last season no one on the Celtics averaged more than 16.3 points besides Isaiah Thomas. Hayward averaged 21.9 points last year in-route to his first All-Star appearance.
Hayward has an option to opt out of his contract and become a free agent. While the Jazz can still offer him more money than anyone else, they are hurt by him not making the an All-NBA team. If he had they could have offered him a 5-year, over $200 million contract. If the Celtics did get Hayward they would likely trade current small forward Jae Crowder to get more assets and clear his salary.
What to do with Isaiah Thomas?
In the event the Boston Celtics got Gordon Hayward it would give them another All-Star to pair up with Isaiah Thomas and Al Horford. Thomas has one year left on his contract and will likely be offered a lot of money when he becomes a free agent in 2018. The Celtics are stacked at guard with Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier.
They are also basically guaranteed to draft a guard with the number one pick in the draft.
Thomas recently said he is okay with the Celtics spending money on free agents this offseason instead of him. The question remains on if the Celtics want to invest a lot of money in a 29-year-old guard when they will be loaded at the position.
They could try to trade him now or just play out the year to see what Thomas does and then decide if he is worth the money.
Keep the No.1 pick
The most important think for the Boston Celtics to do is keep their number one draft pick. While potentially adding Gordon Hayward would help the Celtics, they would still likely not be good enough to challenge the Cavaliers, unless LeBron James ages quickly. The Celtics already have last years number three pick in Jaylen Brown.
This year they can take Markelle Fultz with the first pick. In 2018, they have the Brooklyn Nets first round pick, which will likely be in the top five again. If they hit on their draft picks the Celtics can be the dominant team in the East in the future, instead of trying to trade assets to outgun the Cavaliers super team today.
