Boston Celtics: 3 bench-bolstering offseason Gordon Hayward trades

Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Why the Boston Celtics do it

First of all, what Boston Celtics fan wouldn’t fully embrace the return of “Scary Terry” to the team he became a playoff hero with? After sign-and-trading Rozier away to the Hornets last summer, Danny Ainge could feel some trade remorse and bring back the Louisville product to reprise his role as the primary backup in Boston.

Elsewhere, Cody Zeller has the potential to be a difference-maker as the primary big off the pine, and Devonte’ Graham has boom or bust potential but has achieved more than someone like Carsen Edwards, whose best-case scenario would be a trajectory like Graham’s.

Having players that have started play a role off of your bench is what contenders do to flex their muscles in this league, and taking 3/5ths of the starting lineup is what basketball royalty does to a team that is royalty in location only.

Why the Charlotte Hornets do it

Not only do the Charlotte Hornets get a clear alpha for their offense in dealing for Gordon Hayward, but the two extra draft picks allows them to look for replacements of their outbound trio.

Rozier’s point guard spot could be addressed with the #3 pick, but in truth, this move opens up the floor more for their young guns in Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington. Graham was taking up plenty of offensive possessions to isolate, and Zeller was directly taking playing time away from Washington.

This could be a temporary move forward, but the primary goal is progressing to respectability year in and year out. Just missing the playoffs isn’t going to allow anyone to improve. Perhaps Hayward could be the spark the team needs to reach the postseason again for the first time since 2016. At worst, he could be a chip at the trade deadline.