Boston Celtics Rumors: Gordon Hayward could be traded for Steven Adams and Dennis Schroder, Enes Kanter set for reserve role and more

The Boston Celtics were among the busiest teams during the 2019 offseason and the team enters the new season with plenty of question marks. The long-term futures of Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward remain in doubt, while fans are eager to see if the likes of Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum can transform the Celtics into contenders.

Due to this, there is no shortage of stories surrounding the Celtics heading into the new campaign and here we take a look at all the latest rumors you need to know ahead of the 2019-20 season.

#3 Celtics could pull off a blockbuster trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder

Steven Adams continues to be linked with the Boston Celtics

Following a decade of pursuing a title, the Oklahoma City Thunder entered rebuild mode over the summer. Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Jerami Grant all departed the team during an offseason of major change and GM Sam Presti is eager to offload his remaining high-earners.

Among them is the experienced duo of Steven Adams and Dennis Schroder, who both have two years remaining on their existing deals. At 26, both are entering their prime years on a team out of contention and Greg Swartz believes the Celtics could swap Gordon Hayward and Romeo Langford for the Thunder duo:

If they (OKC) make the bruising 26-year-old center available, the Boston Celtics should be the first team to make a call. The Thunder are forced to take on Hayward's remaining two years and nearly $67 million but shed a bad contract of their own in Schroder and get to collect on yet another draft pick plus a young guard.

Gordon Hayward has shown signs of improvement during the offseason, although it is believed the Celtics would be interested in getting out of the final two years of his deal.

Langford meanwhile was only drafted this summer, though with minutes likely to be limited, it makes sense for the Celtics to sacrifice him for a more established star that can help them win now.

#2 Enes Kanter set to start the season on the bench

Enes Kanter joined the Celtics on a two-year deal during the offseason

The Celtics lost starting center Al Horford during the offseason although the team acted quickly to sign Enes Kanter. Upon his signing Kanter was widely backed to start, although Brad Stevens suggested earlier this week the Turkish star would be better suited to the bench.

In response to Stevens' comments, Hunter Felt of Forbes summarised that Kanter is unlikely to start due to the offensive players already at Stevens' disposal:

If Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward and Jaylen Brown are all part of the starting lineup, Boston should have plenty of offensive firepower coming out of the gate. It’s hard to see how they could get Kanter the touches he would need to be effective by running him out there with that group of players.

While Kanter thrives as an offensive force, his defensive ability has been frequently criticised. With that in mind, it makes sense for the Celtics to start with a big who offers more defensive resistance and Daniel Theis may begin the season at the five.

#1 Kyrie's departure didn't affect Horford's decision to leave for the Sixers

Kyrie Irving and Al Horford spent two seasons together with the Celtics

Kyrie Irving left Boston for the Brooklyn Nets during the offseason, although his decision wasn't surprising after he had refused to negotiate a new deal. Nevertheless, the Celtics were hit by a shock departure in the opening hours of free agency as Al Horford completed a stunning move to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Horford has since stated he left Boston due to his desire to compete for a title, although the 33-year-old told Steve Bulpett that his decision was not impacted by Irving's departure:

I'm not sure that has anything to do with it for me. I just think that if Kyrie would have stayed, I don’t know if it would have worked. There would have had to be some major changes as far as players, because it was just clear that the group that we had just wasn’t going to be able to coexist.

The Celtics' 2018-19 season was marred by rumors of locker room tension and Irving frequently criticised his young teammates to the national press. The point guard will now link up with DeAndre Jordan and Kevin Durant in Brooklyn, while Horford will contend for a title with the Sixers.