After failing to acquire Paul George or Jimmy Butler this summer, the Boston Celtics made their first major move this offseason. Last season, the Celtics were knocked off in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Cleveland Cavaliers, and it was obvious that they need more firepower to compete with the Cavs. The Celtics saw their opportunity this summer, as several All-star players were available on the market. After Paul George went to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Jimmy Butler was traded to the Timberwolves, the Celtics turned their focus to Gordon Hayward.
Hayward opted out of his final year of the contract with the Utah Jazz this summer, and became a free-agent. There were many speculations about him maybe joining the Miami Heat or staying in Utah, but the Boston Celtics won that battle after all.
Hayward and Brad Stevens reunite
On Tuesday night, ESPN reported that Hayward finally made his decision and decided to join the Boston Celtics. Reportedly, the 6-foot-8 All-star forward will sign a four-year contract worth $128 million with a player option for the final year of the contract.
Free agent Gordon Hayward has agreed to a four-year, $128M deal with the Boston Celtics, league source tells The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) 4. srpnja 2017.
Hayward shared his decision in an article in The Players' Tribune and stated that the Celtics head coach, Brad Stevens, was the biggest reason for him to join the Celtics.
Stevens is Hayward's former college coach as they were both at Butler. Hayward and Stevens led Butler to the national championship game in Hayward's second and final year at Butler. They lost the game narrowly and Hayward stated that he has some unfinished business with his former college coach.
Last season with the Jazz, Hayward averaged 21.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
He is a good defender, solid rebounder and his three-point shooting has improved over the years. Last season he shot 39% from behind the arc.
Thank You, Utah. https://t.co/ICfocNeZfW
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) 4. srpnja 2017.
Gordon could be the missing piece for this young Boston Celtics team as they look to dethrone the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference next season.
The Heat part ways with Bosh
Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported on Tuesday that the Miami Heat have officially waived Chris Bosh. Bosh had to deal with blood-clot issues over the past few years, and it seems now that his Hall of Fame career is coming to an end. He was originally drafted by the Toronto Raptors as the fourth overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. For the last six seasons, Bosh played for the Miami Heat and he helped them win two NBA titles. He last played during the 2015/2016 season and in 53 games played that season with the Heat, he averaged 19.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
The Heat decided to waive Bosh due to his health issues and it is unlikely he will return to basketball ever again. Heat president Pat Riley said that the Miami organization will one day retire and hang Bosh's jersey in the rafters.
