98.5 The Sports Hub staff report
The Boston Celtics and Gordon Hayward need more time.
Facing a 5 p.m. deadline to opt in or out of the final season of his max contract worth over $34 million next season, the Celtics and Hayward have reportedly sought to extend that deadline to make their next decision, according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe.
Gordon Hayward and the Celtics are working to extend the deadline on Hayward to decide on his $34.2 million player option for the 2020-21 season from today at 5 p.m. to Thursday afternoon, league sources tell ESPN.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) November 17, 2020
And so the Hayward Saga continues.
Reportedly on the fence about his Boston future as recently as last night, an extension of this deadline would seemingly point towards a potential trade involving Hayward. The Pacers have been mentioned as a potential Hayward destination all offseason (it certainly helps that Hayward is from the area and lives there in the offseason), and Indiana has some notable pieces that would interest the Celtics, with big man Myles Turner at the top of that list.
Getting some additional time to work out an extension and trade — maximizing Hayward’s money and the C’s return if these sides decide that a break is in their break interest — would be of obvious interest to both sides.
The 30-year-old Hayward averaged 17.5 points per game, and established career-highs in rebounds per game (6.7) and field goal percentage (50 percent), in 52 games with the Green last season.
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