NBA 2018/19: 3 worst contracts on the Boston Celtics roster

The Boston Celtics have only failed to make the playoffs once in the last eleven NBA seasons and there is currently an air of confidence surrounding the Boston franchise. A path to the Eastern Conference Finals has opened up due to LeBron James's departure to the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Celtics are confident that they can become the new dominant force in the East.

While the Celtics roster is currently brimming with both All-Stars and young talent, the team still has a number of contracts that do not offer value for money. While this is not currently hurting the team, the Celtics might be planning on making a move for Anthony Davis in the summer of 2019, and the franchise would be wise to trim their salary bill.

So, here are the three worst contracts currently on the Boston Celtics roster.

#3 Gordon Hayward

Nearly every NBA franchise would want Gordon Hayward on their roster, although not on his current contract. Hayward was selected as the ninth overall pick by the Jazz back in 2010, and he spent seven seasons with the Utah team, guiding them to a regular place in the playoffs.

The 28-year-old became a free agent in 2017 and eventually agreed to join the Boston Celtics on a four-year, $128 million contract. The Celtics evidently overpaid for a player who is a borderline All-Star, and Hayward has also struggled to regain his form since recovering from an injury that resulted in him missing the entire 17/18 season.

During the current season, Hayward has dropped to the bench for the first time since his rookie season, and his points-per-game average of 10.6, is a 50% drop when compared to his final season in Utah. Ultimately, the Celtics are looking to move forward with Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown, and Hayward looks to be the odd man out.

#2 Aron Baynes

Aron Baynes has managed to forge a successful NBA career for himself, despite going undrafted in the 2009 NBA draft. The Australian returned to the EuroLeague after his draft disappointment, although the Spurs opted to give Baynes his NBA debut in 2013. The center has since spent time with the Detroit Pistons, although during the 17/18 season with the Celtics, Baynes became a regular starter for the first time in his career.

Despite this, the 32-year-old has lost his starting spot on the Celtics team this season, and on a franchise that already has a bloated salary bill, Baynes's $5.2 million contract looks unnecessary. Baynes is averaging 5.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, and the Celtics would be able to find similar production from a player on a veteran's minimum deal.

#1 Al Horford

Just like Gordon Hayward, Al Horford is a good player that the Celtics are overpaying. After spending his entire career with the Atlanta Hawks, the then 30-year-old joined the Celtics after signing a four-year, $113 million contract.

The 5-time All-Star is still one of the finest defensive players in the league, although he is averaging just 12.3 points this season while shooting .358 behind the arc. Horford has a player option on his contract worth $30 million for the 19/20 season, and this is a huge amount for the Celtics to invest on a 33-year-old.

With the Celtics being continually linked with a trade for Anthony Davis, moving Horford before the February trade deadline could boost the team's prospects of signing the Pelicans superstar this summer. Ultimately, Horford has performed well in Boston, although his contract will affect the team's ability to compete in the trade market.

Edited by Sai Krishna