NBA Trade Rumor: Will Boston Celtics Trade Gordon Hayward?
Boston Celtics star player Gordon Hayward is now in the last year of his four-year contract with the team. There are rumors that he might be traded this month.
Gordon Hayward is one of the star players in the Boston Celtics, and he is now in the last year of his four-year contract. There are rumors inside the professional basketball league that he might be traded to other teams or Hayward will opt out from his contract.
The NBA free agency will start later this November and there have been players who are likely to move to other teams or opt-out from their contracts. Latin Post recently posted that Rajon Gordon will opt out of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers in an attempt to increase his value.
Now, another star will join the roster of those who are planning to either transfer to other teams or opt-out from their contracts. The Boston Celtics star player might decide before the free agency begins. It is said that he might potentially opt out from $34.19 million salary for next season.
Read this also: Rajon Rondo To Opt Out of Contract With Lakers
According to NBA ESPN insider Zach Lowe, there is a possibility that a trade will happen. In his weekly podcast, Lowe said that Boston Celtics is more likely to trade Hayward if he opt out of his last year's contract with the team. His four-year contract is worth $127.8 million.
This is a tough decision for the team but it should be a win-win situation for the Boston Celtics. If Hayward opt-out of his contract, the team will lose a star player and they cannot also acquire new players or demand a first-round pick. That's the reason why the team must decide to trade him if that happens. Here are some of the scenarios, according to Lowe:
- Gordon Hayward to the Portland Trail Blazers for Rodney Hood, Trevor Ariza, Zach Collins, and a protected first-round pick.
- Gordon Hayward to the Indiana Pacers for a package including Myles Turner.
- Gordon Hayward to the Utah Jazz along with Enes Kanter and a first-round pick for Rudy Gobert.
The NBA Trade rumors started after Rody Gobert got into a spat with teammate Donovan Mitchell over COVID-19 back in March. However, it still remained unclear if Utah Jazz wants to bring back their former All-Star in that of Hayward.
Meanwhile, the big three stars namely Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kemba Walker of Boston Celtics will remain with the team and they do not have any plans to transfer to other teams. Additionally, it is also rumored that Boston general manager Danny Ainge is looking for a deeper bench.
Some are also surprised that Hayward still has a trade value despite his age, injury, and few games played in the span of three seasons. He has played 125 games with the Boston Celtics.