Could a Reunion Between Celtics and Former Forward Be in Store?

Gordon Hayward is averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.1 steals for the Charlotte Hornets.

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics enter Wednesday night's game against the San Antonio Spurs an NBA-leading 31-9. They're also 19-0 at TD Garden, setting a new franchise record for their best start to a season on their home floor.

With the Feb. 8 trade deadline less than a month away, they continue doing their due diligence on how to strengthen their roster. In a recent media availability, the team's president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, conveyed he'd like to see "how we can find another big wing or so that can help us."

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

And while Oshae Brissett is making a compelling case to fill their search internally, if the Celtics strike a deal for an external candidate, they'll most likely add a player who fits into their $6.2 million Grant Williams traded player exception (TPE).

But Boston also has an open roster spot, preserving flexibility for a potential trade that could lead to converting Neemias Queta's contract from a two-way deal to a full-time pact or signing someone from the buyout market instead.

Regarding the latter possibility, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, a familiar face could end up there.

Fischer reports, "While there's plenty of rival interest in veteran wing Gordon Hayward, he seems more likely to change teams by way of a buyout, as opposed to a rival club sending out $30 million to match his expiring salary."

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The six-foot-seven forward, who spent three seasons with the C's, is averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.1 steals for the Charlotte Hornets.

The Queen City's NBA squad is 8-29 and 13th in the Eastern Conference. With Hayward on an expiring four-year, $120 million deal, it'll be difficult for teams to justify parting with the contracts necessary to match salaries in a trade for him.

The 13-year veteran, who turns 34 in March, is still a productive two-way player, though, so if he reaches the buyout market, title contenders around the Association will have interest in his services.

Unfortunately for the Celtics, along with the distinct possibility he would choose more minutes and a fresh start elsewhere rather than a return to Boston, under the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement, as a team operating over the second apron, they cannot sign a player on the buyout market with an original salary exceeding $12.4 million.

So, while bringing Hayward back to bolster the rotation would boost the franchise's chances of raising Banner 18 to the TD Garden rafters, if the former All-Star changes teams, a reunion between him and the Celtics is off the table.

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