Report: Jazz forward Gordon Hayward wants out of Utah, Celtics making push to acquire him

Report: Jazz forward Gordon Hayward wants out of Utah, Celtics making push to acquire him

WEEI

By John Tomase

Gordon Hayward became a household name under the tutelage of Brad Stevens at Butler. Could they be reunited in the NBA?

According to one report from Brian Geltzeiler of HoopsCritic.com and Sirius radio, Hayward wants out of Utah, and the Celtics are trying to figure out a way to get him:

The 6-foot-8 Hayward has improved over his five NBA seasons, averaging a career-high 19.7 points per game last season. He can opt out of his contract after next season, however, which makes him a risk to leave in free agency after just one season in Boston.

Stevens, who now coaches the Celtics, joined forces with Hayward to lead Butler within a rimmed-out halfcourt shot of defeating Duke in the 2010 NCAA title game.

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Haywood will be an 18-22 ppg player for the Cs next season at a position (shooting wing) that they were quite week at this year. He is still fairly young and may still improve for a couple of more seasons. He may not be as good as Butler primarily because of Butler's elite defense, but I like him better on the Cs than Butler.

The Cs have enough to make the trade if they really want to do it. If he indeed does want out of Utah, he may not cost quite as much, and the Celtics have plenty of draft picks.

Regarding his contract, I would not think that this guy would bolt after only one season with Stevens.

The longer they wait the Jazz will have a gun to their head as Hayward bolts next year with no compensation.

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Many others are saying there is zero truth to the rumors that Hayward wants out. Read the end of this story.
I have read a number of times this week that Hayward is very happy.

http://nesn.com/2016/06/nba-trade-rumors-gordon-hayward-wants-out-jazz-actively-shopping-him/

yeah, doesn't wash with the Jazz trading the #12 pick for G. Hill yesterday.

they seem to be buyers not sellers.

there also was a story yesterday that the Suns offered #4 and 13 for him and were rebuffed.