Boston Celtics small forward Gordon Hayward has been playing better basketball as of late, but players around the league reportedly still feel he's a liability for Boston.

According to ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, players feel bad for Hayward because he's a really nice guy, but know he's really compromised right now.

“They know he’s going to be a step slower,” Smith said on ESPN radio. “They know he’s going to be compromised. I have spoken to people in the league who literally have said, ‘Look man, no disrespect to Gordon Hayward, nice guy, but he’s really, really compromised right now. He’s not the same guy that he was.'

And they said, ‘We actually kind of feel sorry for him, because he is a nice guy, and we know he’s trying to come back from injury.' “

Article Continues Below
More Boston Celtics News
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (middle left) and forward Tari Eason (middle right) hold towels on their faces during game seven of the first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center.
NBA rumors: Rockets ‘anticipating’ Celtics trade talksDavid Yapkowitz ·
image thumbnail
Celtics rumors: Will Boston target rising center prospect in NBA Draft?Owen Crisafulli ·
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) and center Al Horford (42) and guard Jrue Holiday (4) react in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks during game one of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden.
NBA rumors: Insider suggests Knicks could steal Celtics veteranMalik Brown ·
image thumbnail
Celtics legend Paul Pierce gets last laugh with Knicks callout after ECF lossOwen Crisafulli ·
image thumbnail
Clippers trade proposal lands Jrue Holiday from CelticsJedd Pagaduan ·
Cavaliers' guard Darius Garland with Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle - NBA trade rumors and scenarios
Timberwolves’ Darius Garland trade headlines 4 intriguing scenarios before NBA DraftBrett Siegel ·

On the season, Gordon Hayward is averaging 11.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 44.9 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from beyond the arc and 83.0 percent from the free-throw line.

Hayward is making $31,214,295 this season. The swingman had one of his best games of the season this past Saturday against the Golden State Warriors. Hayward scored 30 points while shooting 12-of-16 from the floor. He's followed that up with games of 12 and 15 points.