Boston Celtics: 5 realistic landing spots for Gordon Hayward in free agency

Boston Celtics: 5 potential landing spots for Gordon Hayward in free agency

By Mark Nilon | Nov 20, 2020

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 9: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 9, 2019 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Boston Celtics(Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /

Free-agent destination for Gordon Hayward No. 2) New York Knicks

One of the most recent teams linked to be interested in the (former) Boston Celtics forward is the New York Knicks.

Per Marc Stein of the New York Times, the Knickerbockers have been inquiring about the veteran’s services for some time now.

The Knicks have been aggressive in their pursuit of Gordon Hayward all week, sources say

Amid a growing belief leaguewide that Hayward will decline his $34 million player option for next season, New York may loom as Hayward's best option given all the Knicks' newfound cap space
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 19, 2020

New York has been starving for any semblance of a quality player for quite some time now. Despite serving as the fourth option on the Boston Celtics, Hayward managed to still put up impressive 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.

Again, this was as the C’s FOURTH option.

A team like the Knicks, with the amount of cap space they have, can certainly take a chance on the forward with the idea that he can come in to be the team’s number one option or, more ideally, their number two alongside Russell Westbrook who has been rumored to be on New York’s radar.