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Boston Celtics Granted Player Exception for Hayward

By Joshua Bateman

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 17: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics consoles Gordon Hayward #20 after Hayward was injured while playing the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on October 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 17: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics consoles Gordon Hayward #20 after Hayward was injured while playing the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on October 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Celtics have been granted a player exception after Gordon Hayward’s supposed season ending injury

The moment Gordon Hayward went down with one of the most brutal injuries you will ever see on the basketball court, the immediate expectation was that he would be missing the entire season, with the real concern being how he would be able to bounce back next season.

Making the decision to shut down Hayward completely just got a bit easier. As expected the Boston Celtics were granted an $8.4 million player exception for Hayward, with a March 10th deadline to decide to use it (Via ESPN).

That means the Celtics can still be patient. If Hayward has one of those freakish recoveries and the Celtics become optimistic he may return at some point, they do not have to commit to anything until March.

The Celtics will know for certain if he can return by the beginning of March, and the player exception could allow them to add another piece to their roster before the playoffs begin.

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The player exception really does not change much, and not much about it gets interesting until that March 10th deadline, because that will provide the definitive answer as to whether or not the Celtics are going to hold out hope that Hayward may return this season.

As of now, there is still no reason to believe that Hayward will be able to suit up for the Celtics. If you take into account how patient they have been with every injury, even if there is an outside chance he could return, the Celtics will almost certainly take the most cautious route with him.

Danny Ainge did not assemble this core just to win right now in this season. He assembled this core to set up the team for the foreseeable future, and there is no way they will risk that by trying to force Hayward back in for a playoff run, even if he is medically cleared and willing to try and take that route.

Next: Al Horford Gets a Break Against the Miami Heat

Keep in mind, even if Hayward is physically capable of returning, who knows what kind of shape he will be in, and what kind of transition period he will need in order to make the team that much better.

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