2:57pm: The Celtics and Hayward have officially pushed back his option decision deadline to Thursday at 3:00 pm ET, according to Lowe and Tim Bontemps of ESPN.
2:50pm: The Celtics and forward Gordon Hayward are working to extend the deadline for him to decide whether or not he’ll exercise his $34.2MM player option for the 2020/21 season, according to Zach Lowe of ESPN (Twitter link).
Hayward’s contract calls for that decision to be finalized by 5:00 pm eastern time today. Lowe says the two sides plan to push it back to Thursday at 5:00 pm, which is when most other team and player option decisions are due.
Hayward, 30, had a solid bounce-back season in Boston in 2019/20, averaging 17.5 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 4.1 APG on .500/.383/.855 shooting in 52 games (33.5 MPG). He was slowed by a sprained ankle in the playoffs, but showed during the regular season that he can still be a very productive NBA starter.
While it seems unlikely that Hayward would be able to match his $34.2MM option salary in free agency, a new long-term deal that reduces his 2020/21 salary while significantly increasing his overall guarantee is a possibility. That’s the route Al Horford took a year ago, turning down a $30MM option to secure a four-year contract that guaranteed him $97MM.
There has been buzz lately that Hayward isn’t a lock to opt into the final year of his deal, and today’s news is the latest indication that his decision may not be as simple as picking up that option. As John Hollinger of The Athletic observes (via Twitter), it’s rare for a team and player to agree to push back a deadline like this unless something is up that involves both the team and the player.
Given that Hayward has already been the subject of some trade rumors this year, it’s fair to view him as a potential trade candidate this week. A new deal with Boston is also a possibility.
This makes me think something is a foot…
Appreciate you repeating to us what the writer said, just repetition for emphasis ya know is always good!
Well this time it was my opinion not the writers. As always you are welcome to take it or leave it sweetie. No one asked for a peanut gallery.
I expect Hayward to opt in.
It won’t be easy to get a 3 years $60M contract now.
Celtics could offer him 3 years $60M if he opts out. Other teams don’t.
I could see the hawks offering him some money
I hope the Hawks don’t go after him. They look to be putting together a good young core and I’m not sure how he would mesh with them.
If healthy, I see no reason why he would’nt get 3 @ 20 million per. First 2 years guaranteed with player option for the third year. Always productive, gives you a little bit of everything on the wing, can be part of winning culture, good citizen.
I suspect there is a sign and trade in the works
I hope so… probably waiting until after the draft
Unless theres some trade out there… hes about to make a dumb decision. No one is paying Chandler Parson 2.0