Boston Celtics: 3 options for Gordon Hayward this off-season

Sign-and-trade him to another team

The final option is one that Hayward and another team will have to agree to, making it the least likely. But, if Hayward wants out of Boston, there is a chance the Celtics can come to an agreement to send him to one of the association’s 29 other franchises.

With Hayward enjoying a bounce-back year after two injury-riddled struggling seasons in 2017-18 and 2018-19, Hayward’s trade value is as high as it was when he first signed on to join his college coach Brad Stevens with the Boston Celtics.

Finding a taker for either the final year of his player option or a long-term deal would require Ainge to target higher salaried players who sit below the threshold of a superstar. Some targets could include Aaron Gordon of the Orlando Magic or LaMarcus Aldridge of the San Antonio Spurs.

There’d be no better way to recoup value on Hayward’s deal than finding a player who better fits the C’s lineup. Quite frankly, Hayward’s ceiling is somewhat limited on a Celtics team that has three dynamic scorers that can create their own shots in Walker, Brown and Tatum.

Whatever happens whenever free agency begins, Hayward’s potential free agency is no doubt the top priority for the Celtics this off-season.