Boston Celtics small forward Gordon Hayward is playing some good basketball at the moment and some around the league believe Boston should look to trade the swingman and get some assets in return since Hayward usually doesn't look this good when Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are in the lineup.
However, according to one NBA executive who spoke to A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston, the Celtics will likely keep Hayward past the February trade deadline rather than move him for what could be an underwhelming return:
“Teams will do their due diligence when it comes to Gordon, but watching him lately, he’s looked really good,” a league executive told NBC Sports Boston. “But I still don’t think at the end of the day, they’ll move him.”
The executive would later go on to point out how Hayward’s contract — more than health concerns — is what’s likely to keep teams from making a strong, aggressive push to acquire him.
“When he’s right, and he’s looking right now, everyone loves him and would love to have him,” the league executive said. “But can Boston find a team that has what they want, and are willing to give it to them for Gordon, who might be gone next summer? I don’t think so.”
Hayward has appeared in 30 games for the Celtics this season. He's averaging 17.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 51.7 percent from the field, 37.2 percent from beyond the arc and 87.0 percent from the free-throw line.
Hayward is making $32,700,690 this season. He has a player option worth $34,187,085 for next season. The veteran will likely pick that option up and remain with the Celtics since he has an injury history now, which would make him one of the top free agents on the market after the 2020-21 season.
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