New Year Resolutions for NBA's Top 10 teams

#2 Boston Celtics - Ensure Gordon Hayward's does not return

Gordon Hayward

Whatever the Boston Celtics achieve this season is a bonus because this was not their plan. Given the competitive blood, the team and coaching staff is bound to give their best and make the most of this situation but the franchise had never envisioned being without Gordon Hayward for the entire season when they signed him back in July of 2017.

Gradually, steadily, Hayward has been taking positive steps towards recovery. At the time of writing, he has let go off both the boot and the brace on his foot.

Going by their current form, in all likelihood, the Celtics will be competing against the Cavaliers in the Conference Finals. What the team and franchise must ensure is that no matter what, Hayward should not return this season, irrespective of how well he has recovered and how ahead of schedule he might be.

The risk of losing him again by rushing him is just far too big. The franchise has a long-term championship contending plan, which involves Hayward, a lot of their young wings - Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, plenty of draft picks and possibly Kyrie Irving.