Boston Celtics: 3 Cs who might have played their final game in Beantown

Gordon Hayward

Finally, we get to a man the Houdini will be spending much of the next few months talking about trading, Gordon Hayward. While I recently announced that I would be taking a hiatus from thinking of hypothetical trade talks for the versatile forward, it is an objective truth that his contract is the key to balancing out the Boston Celtics’ top-heavy wing rotation.

In using his $34 million salary in a deal, the Cs could stand to add significant talent back in any such deal. I pointed that out in the aforementioned piece:

"It’s long been easy to point to Hayward’s deal, his missed time, and his injury history and think that he is not someone who can be relied on. Not only that, his expiring deal after the 2020-21 season makes him a splashy short-term acquisition who believes they are a piece away from contention (Denver? Houston?)."

Finding a team that is so close to contending that also has an expendable difference-maker will be what determines any potential return for the 2017 All-Star. Hayward’s deal could be used to find the marquee big man needed to trade Daniel Theis or help land a similar do-it-all wing like Paul George.

Either way, if a big trade is made, Hayward’s name will be in it. Mark these words Boston Celtics fans!