Gordon Hayward and the Boston Celtics are working to extend the deadline on the small forward to decide on his $34.2 million player option for the 2020-21 season from Tuesday at 5 p.m. to Thursday afternoon, per Zach Lowe of ESPN.
If Hayward declines his lucrative player option, he'll become an unrestricted free agent and free to sign with any team of his choice.
Gordon Hayward and the Celtics are working to extend the deadline on Hayward to decide on his $34.2 million player option for the 2020-21 season from today at 5 p.m. to Thursday afternoon, league sources tell ESPN.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) November 17, 2020
Gordon Hayward appeared in 52 games for the Celtics during the 2019-20 season. He averaged 17.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 50.0 percent from the field, 38.3 percent from beyond the arc and 85.5 percent from the free throw line.
There are rumors going around the NBA that Hayward is unhappy with his role on the Celtics. If Boston is aware of that, the franchise should look to trade him so they can get something in return.
Since he's been prone to injuries since signing with the Celtics in the summer of 2017, many pundits would be shocked if Hayward opts out of his player option since he's not going to get $34.2 million on the open market. However, if Hayward does become a free agent, he must really be upset in Boston since $34.2 million is a lot of money to turn down.
The Celtics lost to the Miami Heat in the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals in six games at Walt Disney World. Once the free agency period opens, Boston will offer All-Star Jayson Tatum a rookie-scale extension.
Follow Us
Subscribe