NBA Rumors: Boston Celtics Starter In The Picture For The Long Run

The Boston Celtics are currently third in the Eastern Conference with a 38-16 record. The offseason addition of Kemba Walker to the team has propelled them in a run for a deep playoff push. Walker as the leading scorer coupled with the team’s young core of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown has put the Celtics as among the most promising teams in the league.

Walker and Tatum are the team’s All-Stars while Brown has been a consistent 20-point per game scorer while holding the line on the defensive end. While the trio is to blame for the success of the team, their fellow starting forward Gordon Hayward has also been a pivotal piece for the Green and White. Hayward was signed to a four-year deal in 2017 for around $128 Million. He has a player option worth just over $34 million for the 2020-2021 season.

Per Brian Robb of the Boston Sports Journal by way of Bleacher Report, the Boston Celtics are keen on keeping Hayward part of the long-term plan. Whether or not Hayward opts for his player option, the Celtics are interested in signing the former All-Star in succeeding years to come.

Hayward has been consistent for the Celtics this season. He started his stint with Boston in a shaky start where he was involved in an on-court freak accident. The six-foot-seven forward suffered a fractured tibia and dislocated ankle. As he sat out the year and slowly recovered last season, Hayward has shown consistent flashes of brilliance for the Celtics this year.

He is averaging 17.3 points per game while tallying 6.7 rebounds per outing. He has also been shooting at a high percentage with 50.4% from the field. In the last ten games, he’s putting up 20.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. He came up big in the Celtics’ recent matchup against the LA Clippers where he scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. The Celtics won the game in double overtime, 141-133.