It’s gonna take many years until Boston Celtics fans are no longer paying attention to the happenings of one Gordon Hayward, and realistically, there may never be a point in time where that is the case.
Hayward was such a polarizing figure because of what he represented during his three-year stint in a Cs uniform. Signed in the summer of 2017, Hayward dislocated his left ankle and fractured his left tibia and never gave Boston a chance to see how good they could have been in 2017-18.
Somehow, the Cs still came within a game of the 2018 NBA Finals, so his return was championed as a potential turning point for the following season in 2018-19. That team spectacularly fell short of expectations and Hayward couldn’t even regain his spot in the starting lineup. But the true issue, most thought, was Kyrie Irving.
After Irving bolted in the summer of 2019 and was replaced by Kemba Walker, it appeared like Hayward was finally set to fulfill the role of a top option in the starting five — and yet by the end of the bubble postseason, Hayward had just one postseason start under his belt.
In November 2020, Hayward signed with the Charlotte Hornets and (surprise) he has been injured for 40% of the possible games he could have suited up for. With Charlotte having missed the postseason both of his seasons under contract for roughly $58.5 million the past two years, perhaps they could look to move off his deal.
Once polarizing Boston Celtics figure Gordon Hayward could be perfect third wheel with the Lakers
NBA Analysis Network came up with the following trade proposal sending Gordon Hayward to the Los Angeles Lakers, along with former Boston Celtics fan-favorite ‘Scary’ Terry Rozier, for Russell Westbrook and first-round draft picks in 2027 and 2029:
"Charlotte Hornets Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Gordon Hayward, G Terry Rozier"
N.A.N came up with a pretty plausible swap here. Hayward would be a perfect third-wheel in a LeBron James-run offense as a slasher and a spot-up threat given his 40% shooting from beyond the arc during his Hornets run. Rozier would be what makes the Lakers consider giving up two picks that could be valuable in the post James-Anthony Davis era in L.A.
This trade isn’t impossible considering the Hornets’ lack of success and potential flexibility next summer by taking on the expiring contract of Russell Westbrook. Who knows? Maybe he thrives next to LaMelo Ball in a backcourt that defies everything we know about what leads a team to success.