Gordon Hayward has been on the long road to recovery since opening night last season. As the build-up to the start of the 2018-19 season gathers steam, so does the return of one of the game’s stars.
In what felt like a blink of the eye, Gordon Hayward went from franchise star of the Utah Jazz, to prized recruit of the Boston Celtics, to fallen star on the sidelines.
As the year went on, Hayward watched from afar, quietly continuing his rigorous rehab program while his teammates defied the odds to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. Fast forward to today, and the 2017 NBA All-Star is said to be tracking well, preparing for the beginning of training camp and the start of the season on Oct. 16.
Given the torrid run Boston made in the playoffs, it’s easy to forget how good Hayward was in 2017 with his old squad. Still just 28 years old, he remains right smack bang in the middle of his prime.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at three big goals for Hayward as he is set to resume his previously blossoming career on one of the top contenders in the East.