Boston Celtics: 3 candidates for a breakout season in 2019-20

2. Gordon Hayward

The fact a former All-Star and max contract player makes a list of potential breakout candidates shows just how far Hayward has fallen since his gruesome injury on his Celtics debut back in 2017.

Hayward needs a breakout season to justify his huge salary. Returning to the level he played at in Salt Lake will not only improve this Celtics team exponentially, but it will also provide Hayward with another shot at a big payday.

He appeared in 72 games last season (18 starts) and averaged 11.5 points per game, 4.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Those stats do not scream All-Star or max player, but it offers hope that he will reach those heights again.

Hayward’s injury was very similar to that of Paul George. The only difference is that George came back at the end of the following NBA season to compete in six games and then had a full summer to work on his fitness and game.

Hayward did not have this luxury, having undergone a second surgery during last summer and restarting his recovery phase. Hayward started the season lacking in fitness and confidence and it showed, just as it did for George during his six-game return back in 2015.

George has gone on to improve every year since recovering from his injury and was an MVP candidate this past season, Hayward can take inspiration from this. The upcoming season is Hayward’s equivalent to George’s 2015-16 season, where he saw increases to his production across the board.

Recapture his previous level and Hayward could be an All-Star this year. He will also elevate Boston’s ceiling this year. With a player option on his contract at the end of the season, Hayward will know the only way to continue earning similar amounts past next year is to produce at the level which earned him this contract in the first place.

The pressure is on for Hayward this year, the question is can he break out of his mental shackles and become the player he was pre-injury.