Despite Celtics head coach Brad Stevens having recently and adamantly claimed that Gordon Hayward won’t suit up this season, the 27-year-old forward will not formally rule himself out for the remainder of 2017/18, ESPN’s Chris Forsberg writes.
Hayward sounded far from confident that he would end up back on the court for a second game in Celtics green before the end of the season but nonetheless remains determined to make incremental improvements over the next few weeks and take it “day by day.”
“The hope is still there,” Hayward said. “It’s something where I’m really honestly not even thinking about it. I know we’re getting toward the end of the year. It’s something that I’m still working toward, but if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen.”
Recently released video of the forward working out has spurred speculation that Hayward may be potentially able to play for the Celtics before the end of the season. So too has the revelation that he’ll soon be travelling with the team.
The 46-20 Celtics, second in the Eastern Conference, aren’t exactly hard up for reinforcements at this point in the season but the major offseason acquisition would be welcomed nonetheless. Thus far the organization has relied on Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum to hold down the fort on the perimeter.
He should focus on returning for the playoffs… the Celtics won’t need him until they play the Cavs
He should be activated before the playoff deadline for players to be able to be active for playoff rosters, but he should play another rep this season and just gain strength be ready to come off the bench first round of playoffs and see if he can start from there on out, regardless him off the bench alone could be the difference against golden state and or the rockets if they can make it to that far