Boston Celtics: 3 landings spots for Gordon Hayward if he opts out

Landing spot for Gordon Hayward No. 1) Atlanta Hawks

In Ryen Russillo’s statements about how Gordon Hayward wants out, he stated that the Atlanta Hawks could be a prime suitor for the 10th-year-forward.

Known as a team who is interested in acquiring a veteran presence for their young core to potentially help them contend for a postseason berth in 2020-21, adding on the likes of the former All-Star would be a way to bring on such a talent without sacrificing their sixth overall selection or any other future draft capital.

While Atlanta does have an impressive young core in Trae Young, John Collins, Kevin Huerter, and Clint Capela, they are without a player outside of Young that can go out there and buy their own bucket.

Hayward could prove to be that second-scorer this team could use as well as that experienced veteran that could help better mold the team’s youngsters moving forward.

On a team that enjoys isolation sets, the forward could thrive in both scoring situations as well as being the facilitator in drive-and-kick scenarios, while also proving to be a reliable catch-and-shoot shot taker himself whilst running alongside the team’s dime-dropping All-Star point guard — shot 43 percent on such attempts when behind the 3-point line in 2019-20.

Possessing the cap space as well as the apparent desire to add on a still productive veteran, Gordon Hayward makes a lot of sense for the Atlanta Hawks.