Turns out, there might just be some fire with that smoke.
One of the most popular narratives that has taken shape since the end of the Boston Celtics’ 2019-20 season has been a trade that sends veteran forward Gordon Hayward back to his native Indiana to play for the Pacers to solve the conundrum his potential free agency this or next season presents.
The 30-year-old wing could be an unrestricted free agent this offseason or next pending his decision on a player option for the final season of his current deal, but even if he does opt into it, Boston will need to make hard decisions on whether to risk seeing the Butler product walk in free agency.
Something worth noting as we get closer to the date when NBA teams can make trades: some with the Pacers still have interest in dealing for Boston’s Gordon Hayward, per sources: https://t.co/E2BJ0JungZ
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) October 22, 2020
Now, SNY.com’s Ian Begley reports that there is indeed interest “within the Pacers organization … in trading for Celtics’ Gordon Hayward.”
Whether Boston shares that perspective with them or not is moot until Hayward decided to opt in or not, and both sides may realistically be hoping to simply extend the longtime associate of head coach Brad Stevens to a cheaper team-friendly deal instead.
With decision dates not due until late November or early December at soonest, it may be some time until clarity emerges about the direction of Hayward’s future, but as of this afternoon, we just saw the first real flicker of a flame to connect the Celtics to longstanding Pacers trade rumors.
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