Gordon Hayward Boston Celtics
Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the first quarter against the Washington Wizards at TD Garden on March 01, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

There is no doubt that Gordon Hayward will be the Celtics focal point on offense with the departure of Kyrie Irving to the Brooklyn Nets. With the 2019-20 season looming around the corner, Boston will look to add significant pieces to their roster if they plan to go deep in the playoffs next year.

The Boston management has since refused trade inquiries for the 29-year-old small forward, but that could change according to Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz. According to the sportswriter, the Celtics could opt to trade Hayward for Jordan Clarkson and Tristan Thompson of the Cavaliers.

He said that moving Gordon to Cleveland "would make sense both now and in the future." He appended that the Celtics are dying to have a defensive center after the departure of Al Horford.

Swartz also believes that Thompson would fit the Celtic mold, last year he averaged 10.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists for the struggling Cavs. Defensively he held his opponents to 56.1 percent shooting at the rim.

He also added that the 27-year-old Clarkson would give them instant offense as a sixth-man for Boston. He averaged 16.8 points per game despite coming off the bench.

Hayward is far from his All-Star form after suffering a season-ending injury in the start of the 2017-2018 NBA season against the Cavaliers. His 11.6 point average was far from his best when he was still wearing the Utah Jazz uniform. Gordon shot 46.6 percent from the field and added 4.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game for the Celts last year.

Two years ago, the 2017 NBA All-Star had his career-best averages with 21.9 ppg, 5.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and a block. Hayward would contribute on the floor for Cleveland, and he may get a fresh start after unsuccessful seasons with the Celtics.

Clarkson and Thompson would also add much-needed depth to Boston's roster. However, it seems that Gordon will be staying for the Celtics as of the moment, if the rumors go through, the trade would be a positive for both sides. Boston and the Cavs badly need a fresh start.

Basketball