This year’s NBA free agency has the potential to get a bit more interesting. According to multiple reports, Boston Celtics‘ forward Gordon Hayward is thinking about rejecting his player-option for the 2020/21 season and entering the open market.

Hayward has struggled with injuries in recent years, so many people believed that he would jump on the opportunity to earn a $34.1 million salary next season with the Celtics. But the 30-year-old player obviously believes his past success might still net him a satisfying long-term deal.

During a recent appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo dropped a surprising bit on Hayward, saying that the former All-Star “does want out” of his deal with Boston. According to Russillo, this scenario becomes even more likely if the player gets guarantees about a rich contract somewhere else.

ESPN’s Zach Lowe previously hinted at a similar scenario, saying that he “doesn’t think it’s a lock that Gordon Hayward is on the Celtics next year” during his recent podcast.

Gordon Hayward would certainly draw sizeable interests from around the NBA if he opts out, considering that this year’s free-agent class lacks in big names. However, it is unclear how much money the teams would be willing to spend on a player that played just 125 games in the past three seasons. Hayward also hasn’t been productive in a while, averaging just 13.9 points per game in Celtics’ jersey.

The post Gordon Hayward Might Opt-Out of His Contract with Celtics appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Gordon Hayward could be heading home soon. According to SNY’s Ian Begley, there is interest within the Indiana Pacers organization to trade for the Boston Celtics’ forward this offseason.

Pacers’ interest in Hayward isn’t new, as a similar report surfaced back in June.

Hayward, who’s 30 years old, was born and raised in Indianapolis while also playing both high school and college basketball there. Having this in mind, it wouldn’t be hard to imagine him also being open to suiting up for Pacers.

Finally, it also might not be too hard to convince the Celtics to part with the player. Hayward struggled to make an impact in Boston after signing a four-year, $128 million contract with the franchise in 2017 and the change of scenery seems welcomed for both parties.

Hayward played 125 games for the Celtics in the past three seasons, averaging 13.9 points per game during that period.

The Indiana Pacers could put together several interesting packages if they decide to go for Gordon Hayward. The most appealing to Celtics would most definitely include talented Myles Turner, but in that case, Pacers would likely require additional assets to sweeten the deal.

The Celtics are also believed to have an interest in Victor Oladipo, who is a player that Pacers might be more willing to part with. Oladipo is set to become a free agent next summer, and Indiana might consider moving him after two sides failed to make progress in extension talks.

The post Pacers Have Interest in trading for Gordon Hayward appeared first on SportzBonanza.

It is almost scary to think how strong the Boston Celtics will be in 2018-19. Celtics managed to win the top seed and get to the Eastern Conference finals last season without a max-type player in Gordon Hayward. Hayward went down with an ankle injury in a season opener last year and hasn’t played since. But now, the 28-year-old seems like he is ready to get back to his 20+ points a game version.

Although it was a long journey, Gordon Hayward put on his Celtics’ No.20 jersey and told reporters that he is fully fit once again. Another encouraging news is that he played 5-on-5 with his teammates in preparation for the upcoming training camp.

“I would say I’m basically 100 percent,” – said Hayward. “There are certain things that I think are going to take time — even if I was 100 percent healthy, I’m not 100 percent as far as basketball-wise, just because I haven’t played in a year. I’m trying to figure those things out. The last step for me as far as from a physical standpoint is a little explosion, that little last juice bounce that you get. So that’s going to take me the longest time. But like I said, for the most part, I feel very good.”

When asked about the timeline on his return to competitive basketball, Hayward said that he is ready to go now. He expects to take part in Celtics’ preseason games and to play without restrictions in the season opener.

Gordon Hayward spent the first seven years of his NBA career with the Utah Jazz, where he developed from a back-up and a role player into an All-Star. After his contract with the Jazz expired following the 2016-17 season, Hayward decided to come to Boston and sign a four-year, $128 million contract. In his last full NBA season, Hayward averaged 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

Gordon Hayward putting on the No. 20 jersey again … pic.twitter.com/XBHbIo43Lz

— Chris Forsberg (@ESPNForsberg) September 13, 2018

The post Celtics’ Gordon Hayward Ready for a Comeback: “I’m Basically 100 Percent” appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Boston Celtics supposed to be one of the most exciting teams to watch this NBA season, having added two superstars in Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be this season, at least not for Hayward. He broke his ankle in the opening game against the Cleveland Cavaliers and probably won’t step on the NBA court this season. After a successful surgery, Hayward decided to describe the moment of the injury, the process of recovery and how he looks forward in a Facebook post titled “IN AN INSTANT”.

“I just remember sitting there, looking at my foot the wrong way, and it felt like an eternity.” – Hayward writes. “Dr. Rosneck, the Cavaliers doctor, braced me as he explained that they wanted to try and pop my ankle back into place. I held on, and the moment they did it, there was just a massive shot of pain, probably the most pain I’ve ever felt in my life.“

Hayward went on to describe how he was visited in the locker room after the injury by Isaiah Thomas, who had massive credit for getting Hayward to Boston. He also discovered that Celtics’ coach Brad Stevens was one of the people who carried him onto the plane.
In the post, Hayward reveals that there were certain concerns about his surgery, but at the end, it went better than expected. He used the opportunity to thank everyone who expressed their support and said he is now fully focused on getting back and finally playing in front of the home crowd.

“I keep imagining what it’s going to be like to step onto the floor at the Garden and make my regular season debut as a Celtic. It’s going to be a little delayed. But with each day of my rehab, I’ll be that much closer to making it happen. I’m already dreaming about sharing that moment with everyone here in Boston—a city that I’m still getting to know, but that I’ve connected with through all of this in ways beyond anything I could have imagined. Now, it’s all about getting back. Time to begin.“

The post Boston Celtics Gordon Hayward Speaks Out After Season-Ending Injury appeared first on SportzBonanza.

This year’s NBA free agency has the potential to get a bit more interesting. According to multiple reports, Boston Celtics‘ forward Gordon Hayward is thinking about rejecting his player-option for the 2020/21 season and entering the open market.

Hayward has struggled with injuries in recent years, so many people believed that he would jump on the opportunity to earn a $34.1 million salary next season with the Celtics. But the 30-year-old player obviously believes his past success might still net him a satisfying long-term deal.

During a recent appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo dropped a surprising bit on Hayward, saying that the former All-Star “does want out” of his deal with Boston. According to Russillo, this scenario becomes even more likely if the player gets guarantees about a rich contract somewhere else.

ESPN’s Zach Lowe previously hinted at a similar scenario, saying that he “doesn’t think it’s a lock that Gordon Hayward is on the Celtics next year” during his recent podcast.

Gordon Hayward would certainly draw sizeable interests from around the NBA if he opts out, considering that this year’s free-agent class lacks in big names. However, it is unclear how much money the teams would be willing to spend on a player that played just 125 games in the past three seasons. Hayward also hasn’t been productive in a while, averaging just 13.9 points per game in Celtics’ jersey.

The post Gordon Hayward Might Opt-Out of His Contract with Celtics appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Gordon Hayward could be heading home soon. According to SNY’s Ian Begley, there is interest within the Indiana Pacers organization to trade for the Boston Celtics’ forward this offseason.

Pacers’ interest in Hayward isn’t new, as a similar report surfaced back in June.

Hayward, who’s 30 years old, was born and raised in Indianapolis while also playing both high school and college basketball there. Having this in mind, it wouldn’t be hard to imagine him also being open to suiting up for Pacers.

Finally, it also might not be too hard to convince the Celtics to part with the player. Hayward struggled to make an impact in Boston after signing a four-year, $128 million contract with the franchise in 2017 and the change of scenery seems welcomed for both parties.

Hayward played 125 games for the Celtics in the past three seasons, averaging 13.9 points per game during that period.

The Indiana Pacers could put together several interesting packages if they decide to go for Gordon Hayward. The most appealing to Celtics would most definitely include talented Myles Turner, but in that case, Pacers would likely require additional assets to sweeten the deal.

The Celtics are also believed to have an interest in Victor Oladipo, who is a player that Pacers might be more willing to part with. Oladipo is set to become a free agent next summer, and Indiana might consider moving him after two sides failed to make progress in extension talks.

The post Pacers Have Interest in trading for Gordon Hayward appeared first on SportzBonanza.

It is almost scary to think how strong the Boston Celtics will be in 2018-19. Celtics managed to win the top seed and get to the Eastern Conference finals last season without a max-type player in Gordon Hayward. Hayward went down with an ankle injury in a season opener last year and hasn’t played since. But now, the 28-year-old seems like he is ready to get back to his 20+ points a game version.

Although it was a long journey, Gordon Hayward put on his Celtics’ No.20 jersey and told reporters that he is fully fit once again. Another encouraging news is that he played 5-on-5 with his teammates in preparation for the upcoming training camp.

“I would say I’m basically 100 percent,” – said Hayward. “There are certain things that I think are going to take time — even if I was 100 percent healthy, I’m not 100 percent as far as basketball-wise, just because I haven’t played in a year. I’m trying to figure those things out. The last step for me as far as from a physical standpoint is a little explosion, that little last juice bounce that you get. So that’s going to take me the longest time. But like I said, for the most part, I feel very good.”

When asked about the timeline on his return to competitive basketball, Hayward said that he is ready to go now. He expects to take part in Celtics’ preseason games and to play without restrictions in the season opener.

Gordon Hayward spent the first seven years of his NBA career with the Utah Jazz, where he developed from a back-up and a role player into an All-Star. After his contract with the Jazz expired following the 2016-17 season, Hayward decided to come to Boston and sign a four-year, $128 million contract. In his last full NBA season, Hayward averaged 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

Gordon Hayward putting on the No. 20 jersey again … pic.twitter.com/XBHbIo43Lz

— Chris Forsberg (@ESPNForsberg) September 13, 2018

The post Celtics’ Gordon Hayward Ready for a Comeback: “I’m Basically 100 Percent” appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Boston Celtics supposed to be one of the most exciting teams to watch this NBA season, having added two superstars in Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be this season, at least not for Hayward. He broke his ankle in the opening game against the Cleveland Cavaliers and probably won’t step on the NBA court this season. After a successful surgery, Hayward decided to describe the moment of the injury, the process of recovery and how he looks forward in a Facebook post titled “IN AN INSTANT”.

“I just remember sitting there, looking at my foot the wrong way, and it felt like an eternity.” – Hayward writes. “Dr. Rosneck, the Cavaliers doctor, braced me as he explained that they wanted to try and pop my ankle back into place. I held on, and the moment they did it, there was just a massive shot of pain, probably the most pain I’ve ever felt in my life.“

Hayward went on to describe how he was visited in the locker room after the injury by Isaiah Thomas, who had massive credit for getting Hayward to Boston. He also discovered that Celtics’ coach Brad Stevens was one of the people who carried him onto the plane.
In the post, Hayward reveals that there were certain concerns about his surgery, but at the end, it went better than expected. He used the opportunity to thank everyone who expressed their support and said he is now fully focused on getting back and finally playing in front of the home crowd.

“I keep imagining what it’s going to be like to step onto the floor at the Garden and make my regular season debut as a Celtic. It’s going to be a little delayed. But with each day of my rehab, I’ll be that much closer to making it happen. I’m already dreaming about sharing that moment with everyone here in Boston—a city that I’m still getting to know, but that I’ve connected with through all of this in ways beyond anything I could have imagined. Now, it’s all about getting back. Time to begin.“

The post Boston Celtics Gordon Hayward Speaks Out After Season-Ending Injury appeared first on SportzBonanza.