Boston Celtics: Offseason Gordon Hayward trades to Denver and Utah

Utah Hayward trade

Perhaps a return to the Utah Jazz could be what the doctor ordered for Hayward’s health. He was certainly never this injury-prone in Salt Lake City. He has not had Celtic luck by any stretch.

Those who believe in superstition may believe Hayward’s tenure in Boston is cursed and has been since the moment his leg snapped on opening night in 2017. By comparison, his time in Utah was charmed, growing into a max-contract player from an undersized lanky late lottery pick over a decade ago.

This return would bolster the C’s bench with several role players having obvious fits within the Boston Celtics offense. Situationally, the sum of these parts could be greater than the oft-injured Hayward.

Denver Hayward trade

This deal is a bit more of a gamble for the Celtics with Gary Harris underperforming the past several seasons and Will Barton always being a general roll of the dice. That said, this would also be a bench overhaul, with Harris having super-sixth man potential if he can regain his 2017-18 form.

Hayward could be seen by Denver as the missing third-wheel in a Jokic-Murray “Big 3”. The Nuggets are going to lose someone in free agency, with Mason Plumlee, Jerami Grant, and P.J. Dozier all due for raises.

Assuring themselves at the top with Hayward in a contract year could be a win-now move that doesn’t hamper their long-term outlook.