NBA: Biggest X-factor for all 30 teams in the 2019-20 season

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Boston Celtics: Gordon Hayward

When it comes to injuries the likes of which were suffered by Gordon Hayward a mere minutes into his debut with the Boston Celtics, a single year of rehab isn’t enough.

Many were hoping a return to his previous form, but an extra season is usually required to re-acclimate oneself to the rigors of NBA-level basketball you can’t find elsewhere.

For Hayward, that season came in 2018-19 where his scoring average was at its lowest since his rookie season. Frustration mounted given Boston’s nightly underperformance along with a price tag valued at roughly $31 million.

Ultimately, he was given a pass attributed to his unique circumstances, an excuse that won’t be available for the coming season.

It wasn’t too long ago — 2016-17 — where Hayward averaged 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game shooting 39.8 percent from downtown.

He was awarded his first All-Star appearance in an unforgiving Western Conference and catalyzed a second-round appearance by the Utah Jazz.

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The Celtics signed Hayward that summer to function as the No. 2 option offensively. Such responsibilities will no longer be required given the emergence of both Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, but there’s a version of him that can catapult Boston up the Eastern Conference standings.

Alongside a familiar head coach in Brad Stevens with several capable ballhandlers, Hayward’s offensive burden shouldn’t be too much to handle two years after his injury.

Boston may have made some moves in free agency by signing Kemba Walker and Enes Kanter, but Hayward’s return to form could have the biggest impact for a team devoid of expectations.