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The Boston Celtics entered the offseason hoping to add Anthony Davis while retaining Kyrie Irving, though the front office came up short on both objectives. Nevertheless, the Celtics managed to sign an excellent replacement for Irving in Kemba Walker, while the signing of Enes Kanter also helped in adding depth to the frontcourt.
Nevertheless, there are ongoing question marks about the current roster and the Celtics front office is set for a busy next couple of months. So, ahead of the 19-20 NBA campaign, here we will take a look at all the latest Boston rumors you need to know.
#1 Gordon Hayward is unlikely to be traded
Gordon Hayward has failed to make much of an impact in Boston since his move to the team back in 2017. Hayward's debut campaign with the Celtics ended on the opening night of the 17-18 season after he suffered a serious leg injury against the Cavs, while he dropped to the bench following his return last year.
With two years remaining on his current deal, Hayward has been among the notable NBA names linked with an impending trade, although Zach Lowe of ESPN is reporting that the Celtics have no plans to trade the 29-year-old:
A swap centered on (Kevin) Love and Gordon Hayward makes some sense, but trading Hayward raises uncomfortable issues for Boston. His college coach wooed him in free agency, and then his leg snapped in half.
Over 73 appearances (18 starts) for the Celtics, Hayward has averaged 11.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. Nevertheless, following an impressive offseason, the former Utah man appears to have earned more time to prove he can become a key piece for the Celtics.
#2 Rival teams are monitoring Jaylen Brown's ongoing extension talks
Following the departure of Kyrie Irving and Al Horford, Boston's young stars are set to get the chance to take on a bigger role this season. One of them is Jaylen Brown, although the 23-year-old's long-term future is in doubt after he reportedly turned down a four-year, $80 million extension.
The Athletic's Shams Charania says extension talks are still ongoing but adds that a number of rival teams are monitoring how the talks progress:
As far as Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown and his extension talks are going, there's one thing to keep in mind: several teams are monitoring how those discussions go, and whether they can make Boston and GM Danny Ainge pay with an offer sheet next summer, according to sources.
While it remains unlikely that the Celtics will trade Brown before the trade deadline, they risk losing him for nothing next summer as the forward is likely to receive a huge contract offer due to the lack of talent set to hit free agency.
#3 Danny Ainge is a big fan of Karl-Anthony Towns
Anthony Davis was widely reported to have been the Celtics' number one target over the past two seasons, although the team has now turned their attention to other big men following his offseason move to the Los Angeles Lakers.
While the Celtics have been linked with Kevin Love and Steven Adams, NBA reporter Brandon Robinson is reporting that Danny Ainge is a big fan of Karl-Anthony Towns and has bounced the idea of swapping Jaylen Brown, Grant, Smart, Langford and a pair of picks for Towns.
Towns is under contract with the Timberwolves until 2024 and would probably have to request a trade for Minnesota to even consider letting him leave. Nevertheless, the Wolves are unlikely to compete for a playoff spot for the foreseeable future, and Jimmy Butler memorably pushed through a trade last November.
Guess the Lakers players!
