NBA: Gordon Hayward Signs with Celtics
After months of speculation on where Gordon Hayward would sign, he has decided to move to the Eastern Conference, reaching a deal with the Boston Celtics. Hayward met with the Miami Heat and Utah Jazz, who he played for his entire career, up until now.
According to multiple sources, the deal is approximately worth $128 million, stretched over four years. Hayward averaged 21.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game with the Jazz, earning an All-Star appearance. He is 27-years-old.
Brad Stevens, the Celtics head coach, was Hayward's college coach at Butler University, before moving to the NBA, and the two will now be reunited. Stevens, along with Danny Ainge, and others, have turned the Celtics back into a title contender, after dismantling the 2007-08 championship team a couple of years ago.
Hayward joins two fellow All-Stars on the Boston roster, with Isaiah Thomas and Al Horford. The supporting cast is quite impressive, as well, boasting back-to-back No. 3 overall picks Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, as well as Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder.
It is likely that the Celtics will be favored to reach the Eastern Conference Finals, along with the Cleveland Cavaliers, next season. It's not yet clear just how much of a difference Hayward makes to a team that already won 50+ games, but obviously adding another All-Star caliber player, is the goal during each offseason. Ainge and Boston finally have their big name player to try and overtake the Cavaliers as the Eastern Conference's top team.
As for the Miami Heat, they'll look to other free agents on the board, namely Tyreke Evans and Rudy Gay, while attempting to improve their roster and make a playoff run next season. Utah, on the other hand, has lost their best player, and may be heading for a down year, depending on what other moves are made between now and October. The Jazz have lost both George Hill, who signed with the Sacramento Kings, and Hayward, but have added Ricky Rubio in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Rudy Gobert will likely become to Jazz's go-to man on offense and defense, something he must get used to quickly.
Hayward is leaving a good situation, where he was comfortable and established, for a home that may have a bigger upside. It was clear that, even though the Jazz were talented, they weren't going to be the likes of the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, and probably even the Oklahoma City Thunder in a seven game series next year. However, the Celtics are already the second best team in the Eastern Conference and can only go up with the signing of Hayward.
Photo Credit: Hoops Hype.
