Boston Celtics: Grading every player from the 2019-20 season
Gordon Hayward’s grade: B-
If the last two months of the NBA season did not happen, Gordon Hayward could have received an A. But after fully returning from the gruesome ankle fracture in 2017, his luck did not seem to get any better in Boston.
Hayward started to season off strong with a 25 point performance against Philadephia. Through the first seven games, Hayward seemed to be returning to his all-star form, also scoring a career-high in points with 39 against Cleveland. And just as the Boston Celtics seemed to be getting the Gordon Hayward they were expecting when he first signed the max contract, he fractured his hand.
Fortunately, the injury was not too serious, and after just 12 games, he was able to return on a minute restriction. When Hayward was fully healthy, he became the Celtics’ best all-around player. He was one of the team’s best scorers, better playmakers, and a defensive pest on the perimeter. Although he was not the best at any of one thing, he was a great all-around guy as a safety net.
Throughout the season, he shot 50.0 percent from the field; while shooting an accurate 38.3 percent from behind the arc. Additionally, he scored 17.5 points per game with a handful of assists and rebounds. Not only was Hayward efficient, he never seemed to take away the ball from anyone. He consistently shifted his game with how Tatum, Brown, Smart, and Walker were playing on a particular night. He could become the team’s number one option if he needed it, the passer getting Walker and Tatum open opportunities or the shooter from the corner creating space. Hayward was the perfect third or fourth option on the team, doing what was needed to win.
Despite the fact that he had a few foot issues, Hayward stayed relatively healthy for most of the rest of the season, but he was slowly becoming less and less constant. Through the last few weeks, before and after the bubble, Hayward stopped providing the Celtics the same sense of comfort. But he was still contributing to the Celtics team.
And then, in the first game of the playoffs, Hayward severely sprained his ankle. He did have a miraculously quick return and even sacrificed witnessing the birth of his child to play another playoff game in 2020. Against the Miami Heat, Hayward was able to play four games. He scored 10.0 points per game on lower efficiently, without the same level of defense he played earlier. But it was quite impressive that Hayward was even able to play on the court. Still, the Celtics lost the series, and Hayward was no help.
On Thursday night, Gordon Hayward declined his player option and will become a free agent.