The Boston Celtics are on the verge of returning to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2009 as they are the leader in the clubhouse in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics hold the number one seed in the East and the rival Cavs seem to be falling apart. Part of the Cavs demise has been the rise of Kyrie Irving in Boston and the fall of Isaiah Thomas in Cleveland. While the Celtics could make a move during the deadline, Irving says the Celtics don’t really need to make a move.
Kyrie has been dreaming of a future when Gordon Hayward is back on the court. pic.twitter.com/syAkqomeo9
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) February 8, 2018
“Gordon is like having an ace in your back pocket.”
Hayward hasn’t played since getting hurt in the first five minutes of the opening game of the season. Hayward signed a max deal with the Celtics this past summer and is probably the team’s second best player. Hayward made the All-Star team in the West a year ago and might be the piece that gives Boston their coveted banner 18. While Hayward is probably out for the rest of the season, it appears that there is a slim hope that he could return sometime during the playoffs.
Irving, 25, has been just flat out awesome for the C’s this year. He is averaging 24.7 points, 5 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game. Irving has also upped his efficiency shooting 48.6 percent from the floor this year. Kyrie can only take the Celtics so far and will need Hayward at some point.
Boston is rumored to be in the market for Tyreke Evans but Danny Ainge is unwilling to trade a first-round pick for a three-month rental. The Celtics could also trade Marcus Smart who is rumored to be on the trade block. When talking about Ainge, trader Danny can never be counted out and could make a splash at the trade deadline to take Boston to the Finals.
