Boston Celtics Trade Targets: Gordon Hayward

The NBA’s trade deadline is February 18 and the Boston Celtics are among a majority of the rumors it seems like. As the day inches closer it will rush clubs to add a player(s) who can help get their team over the hump. The San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers are the only teams not in need of movement.

The Celtics, on the other hand, are currently sitting third in the East with a 31-22 record. As of now, the Celtics can bang with the best of them, but what about in a seven game series? They will need some help. That help could come in the form of Utah Jazz swingman Gordon Hayward.

If you Google “Gordon Hayward trade” half of the links will lead you to an article saying that Hayward should be traded to Boston. This is mainly because of coach Brad Stevens. Hayward played under Stevens’ tutelage for two years at Butler. While there, the former Bulldog was named to the All-Horizon League first-team twice and won the Horizon League Player of the Year in 2010. He also carried his team to the Final Four where they lost to the Duke Blue Devils.

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Adding Hayward could lead Stevens to experiment more with “small ball”. As of now, Boston’s starting lineup is Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Amir Johnson, and Jared Sullinger. Crowder could move over to the four while Johnson would pick up some bench minutes. Hayward would be plugged into the small forward position and add the scoring that the club could use.

Gordon Hayward is not a superstar, he has yet to even make an All-Star team. Although, that doesn’t take away the fact that he is one of just five players averaging at least 19 points, 5 boards and 3 assists per game, while also shooting 37 percent from beyond the arc. The others being Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Kyle Lowry, and Paul George.

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Just because he won’t be playing in Toronto on February 14th doesn’t mean that he can’t help carry a team in the playoffs. A move for Hayward could benefit both the player and the city, it just remains to be seen a package that could be put together for him.