Hardwood Houdini
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Boston Celtics: realistically evaluating Gordon Hayward’s trade value

By Andrew Hughes

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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Mired in a three game losing streak, it’s understandable if Boston Celtics fans merely considered the idea of departing with one of their star wings.

Gordon Hayward is having a good year statistically during this 2019-20 Boston Celtics season. It very well could earn him a nice investment from Boston—or another team with cap space come June.

His recent 8/20 shooting performance in a loss (the C’s third in as many games) against the Phoenix Suns at home this past Saturday not-withstanding, it’s been the kind of efficiency
(50% from the field, 35% from the 3-point line) that  can earn a long-term contract from any team that has cap space or any of the squads eligible for a sign-and-trade.

Hayward represents the second largest salary. His cap figure alone can bring in an entirely new second unit. Kemba Walker isn’t going anywhere, given the C’s inability to win without him. Unlike Hayward’s spot on the wing, Boston’s point guard position is all but entirely on the shoulders of Walker to produce from the 1 spot.

The Boston Celtics were able to win this year without the former All-Star forward, though. Couple that with his uncertain future (Hayward has yet to comment on either opting in or out of his player option for 2020-21), and you have the most likely player to be shipped off in the current core of the team.

Hayward is the odd man out of this core. He wasn’t drafted by Ainge, who has shown loyalty to the trio of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart by not packaging them for the likes of Anthony Davis and Kawhi Leonard in recent years. He wasn’t recently signed either.

Instead, he has proven to not be anywhere close to the investment Ainge threw $127 million at in the summer of 2017.

In assessing Hayward’s value as a trade piece, the Houdini is going to split this into three categories: what he brings to the hardwood, what he could bring in a trade and if the risk is ultimately worth the reward…

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