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Boston Celtics: Making sense of Gordon Hayward’s potential 2020 contract extension

By Lyle Morrison

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics in action in the second half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on January 6, 2020 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics in action in the second half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on January 6, 2020 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Khris Middleton

Khris Middleton signed a 5-year contract extension with Milwaukee last summer which will pay him about $37 million over the next four seasons, the fifth year player option coming in at about $40 million in his age 33-season. Middleton has been one of the most reliable and effective wing scorers in the NBA over the past five season and has been a huge factor in the Bucks ascension to perennial contenders in the East.

Middleton’s deal is more useful in illuminating the value a good wing scorer can have on the open market. I don’t see Hayward getting a max extension from the Boston Celtics. However, there are many teams out there with cap space that are going to be desperate for some kind of help at wing.

The Blazers would give an arm and a leg right now for some wing scoring relief. They signed Carmelo Anthony for goodness sakes. And you know the Knicks are equal parts delusional and incompetent enough to give a perceived star like Hayward a monster deal.

Middleton also benefited immensely from being in the same free agent pool as elite wings like Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, and Tobias Harris. The market was basically like musical chairs; not enough elite wings for the amount of teams willing to pay them, which probably bloated his contract a bit.

The Bucks really couldn’t afford to let him walk and had to make a tough decision between him and Malcom Brodgon, who ended up with Indiana. In any case, Middleton’s situation serves as a warning to the Celtics in that if they are serious about bringing Hayward back, the money needs to be right.

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