2017 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Gordon Hayward: 4 years, $128 million (Boston Celtics)
Free-agent Gordon Hayward plans to sign with the Boston Celtics, league sources tell ESPN.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 4, 2017
Free agent Gordon Hayward has agreed to a four-year, $128M deal with the Boston Celtics, league source tells The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 4, 2017
The Boston Celtics weren’t able to land their dream scenario of Gordon Hayward AND Paul George, nor could they trade for Jimmy Butler or Kristaps Porzingis, but they still managed to sign one of the summer’s best available free agents.
In this current NBA arms race, landing Hayward keeps Boston on the necessary super-team trajectory to keep pace. Pieces had to be moved in order to clear enough cap room, including renouncing Kelly Olynyk and trading shooting guard Avery Bradley to the Detroit Pistons, but those moves are worth it to add one of the league’s best two-way players on the wing.
Hayward provides another go-to scoring option and floor-spacer to take the pressure off Isaiah Thomas on the offensive end, and he represents an upgrade over Jae Crowder at the 3. The Celtics didn’t close the gap on the Cleveland Cavaliers with this move, but it’s the first step in the right direction.
Bourguet/HoopsHabit Grade: A-