With the exception of the veteran’s minimum, the Boston Celtics will not have anything to offer free agents when the NBA Offseason of 2024 begins. Nevertheless, the veteran’s minimum might be the most they can get because some players have passed their peak.
This may apply to Gordon Hayward, making the Celtics a potential free agent target. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report outlined his reasoning for thinking that Hayward is a “optimistic” aim for the Celtics.
In an article published on March 19, Bailey stated, “Gordon Hayward may have reached that point this season. In the NBA, going from a high-value player to one on a minimum contract can happen fast.” “He is averaging just 4.3 points since being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder and turns 34 this month.”
Bailey also mentioned Joe Ingles as a potential Celtics target, and he said Hayward might fill a similar role to him.
“Being younger and possessing more volume scoring experience, he could fit a role akin to the one outlined for Ingles above for Boston.”
Hayward signed a max contract with the Celtics back in 2017. Sadly, five minutes into his team’s debut, he sustained a leg injury that would change the course of his career. He is in the final year of a four-year, $120 million deal that he signed with the Thunder in 2020, and he is no longer a forward.
Gordon Hayward Reveals Why Former Celtics Team Failed
Hayward played for one of the most infamous Celtics teams ever: the 2018-19 team. After coming within one win of making the NBA Finals without him or Kyrie Irving, the Celtics had title expectations only to fall very short of them.
As a guest on “Podcast P with Paul George,” Hayward explained what went wrong with that team
According to the show’s X report, Hayward stated, “We all had too many agendas, and the agenda to win the whole thing was not the main one.” “It was all human nature, so I’m not blaming anyone either,”
While stating what other Celtics’ mindsets were at the moment, Hayward disclosed his own.
While stating what other Celtics’ mindsets were at the moment, Hayward disclosed his own.
I’m trying to show that I’m still an All-Star since I’m returning from the season I played in as an All-Star, Hayward said. “Kyrie sustained an injury the year prior as well, but the Celtics made it to the postseason.” In an attempt to demonstrate that this is still his squad. Then there’s Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Terry Rozier, who all started and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals the previous season.
They’re all attempting to demonstrate that they “have arrived.”
The Celtics lost in five games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2019 despite having a wealth of skill.
Gordon Hayward’s Red Flag
Hayward has a reputation for being prone to injuries. Due to injuries, he has played 44, 49, 50, and 38 games in the last four seasons since leaving Boston.
Because he has missed so many games, his price in free agency may drop. Given his age of 34 and his rap sheet, Hayward might be more concerned about winning at this stage of his career.
