Boston Celtics: B/R ranks Hayward as one 2020’s top 3-and-D free agents

Boston Celtics forward, Gordon Hayward, will be seen as one of the best free agents this offseason should he opt-out, as well as one of the best 3-and-D players available.

2019-20 proved to be Gordon Hayward’s best season with the Boston Celtics. Through 52 games played, Hayward posted averages of 17.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists on 50 percent shooting from the field and 38 percent shooting from downtown.

To no real fault of his own, the 30-year-old’s tenure with the franchise has been a relative disaster due, in large, to his injury woes, namely his opening-night ailment back in 2017-18 that sidelined him for the entirety of that season and, though physically cleared to return in 2018-19, still had an impact on him mentally.

This past season, however, he was ready to go and, in turn, performed close to his former All-Star self.

Now, as reports have circulated that Hayward may be inclined to turn down the final year of his $127 million contract with the shamrocks, it appears that, should he hit free agency, he’d be revered as one of the top available talents in a somewhat weak class.

Not only this but, according to Bleacher Report writer Andy Bailey, the 10th-year-veteran ranks in as the second-best 3-and-D free agent this offseason.

"Gordon Hayward is probably known more for his scoring (18.0 points since 2014-15) and point forward skills, but he’s quietly been a strong defender for most of his career.If you exempt his five-minute 2017-18 campaign, he hasn’t had a below-average defensive box plus/minus since 2013-14. This past season alone, the Boston Celtics’ fourth-ranked defense surrendered 1.3 fewer points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor.What makes him good on that end are a lot of the same things that apply to the previously mentioned players. He has good size for a wing (6’7″, 225 lbs), moves his feet well and is generally in the right spot in terms of help, switches and rotations.He’ll never be a Kawhi Leonard- or Draymond Green-level defender who can carry a team on that end, but he’s also rarely the one responsible for a botched defensive possession."

With his production from this past season, should he enter free agency, there’ll likely be no shortage of suitors for the seasoned veteran.