Earlier this month, the Boston Celtics were able to lure away All-Star forward Gordon Hayward in free agency from the Utah Jazz.
According to Graham Couch of Lansing State Journal, former All-Star center Al Horford played a part in the pitch to convincing Hayward to join the fray.
“I think with him it was about winning. Not that he couldn’t win in Utah, but he felt he had a good chance with the Celtics to do something special. I give him a lot of respect, because he put stability, money, everything aside and came to Boston because he wants to win. So it speaks volumes to the type of person he is.”
The Celtics are coming off their most successful season in a half a decade with their first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2012 while earning the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
It was a difficult decision for Hayward given that the Jazz are coming off their first 50-win season and trip to the second round of the playoffs since 2010. He also turned down the opportunity sign a larger deal Utah that was approximately worth $40 million more.
That said, the addition of Hayward has the potential to put the Celtics in contention with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He provides the team with another proven scorer that could bring more offensive firepower to help counteract what the Cavaliers bring to the table.
Although the Jazz are coming off quite an encouraging season, the potential to be a part of something special in Boston was too much to pass on.
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