Multiple media reports have it that free-agent forward Gordon Hayward has agreed to join the Boston Celtics. According to Chris Haynes of ESPN, Hayward has decided to sign with the Celtics over the Utah Jazz and the Miami Heat, with USA Today’s Sam Amick confirming the news. However, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that Hayward's agent, Mark Bartelstein, denied reports that his client has already picked the Celtics.
Bartelstein clarified that Hayward “hasn’t made a decision yet" and “we are still working through it." Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe earlier reported that Hayward would make his decision Tuesday, but Bartelstein said “we've got to kind of regroup here a bit," meaning they would take some time before his client announces his decision.
Earlier, it was reported that Hayward was looking to join the Heat.
Jazz president Steve Starks said they are taking Bartelstein’s word that Hayward hasn’t made a decision yet. On Twitter, Starks said the team trusts Gordon and his agent that no decision has been made. "Good communication all day and a great relationship,” Starks tweeted. Hayward opted out of his $16.7 million player option to test the free agent market. The Jazz can give Hayward a five-year deal worth around $177 million and the Celtics can offer him a four-year deal.
Celtics need to create cap room for Hayward
If Hayward eventually joins the Celtics, the team would need to create some cap room to accommodate his max contract.
The Celtics need to pull the qualifying offer they extended to Kelly Olynyk and renounce free agents Jonas Jerebko, James Young, and Gerald Green. The Celtics also need to waive the contracts of Jordan Mickey and Demetrius Jackson, and need to trade either Terry Rozier or Marcus Smart to sign Hayward.
Joining the Celtics would reunite Hayward with Brad Stevens, his college coach at Butler.
Stevens recruited Hayward from nearby Brownsburg (Ind.) High School. In his first year at Butler, Hayward averaged 13.1 points. He increased his output to 15.5 points the next year as Butler made it to the 2010 NCAA championship game but lost to Duke. After that, Hayward joined the NBA Draft where he was picked ninth overall by the Jazz.
Jazz would have a huge void to fill
If Hayward leaves Utah, the Jazz will be left with a huge hole that they cannot fill via the free agent market. Hayward averaged a career-best 21.9 points per game last season, on top of 5.4 rebounds per game. He led the Jazz to their first playoff stint since 2012, defeating the heavily favored Los Angeles Clippers in the first round before losing to the Golden State Warriors.
