Hayward and the Celtics contingent — which featured Stevens, Isaiah Thomas, Al Horford, co-owner Wyc Grousbeck, and president of basketball operations Danny Ainge — discussed Hayward’s potential role in the Celtics’ offense. The club has has been seeking a scoring small forward since the departure of Paul Pierce.

Hayward, a 2017 All-Star, arrived at Logan Airport on Saturday evening and spent Sunday with the Celtics brass, first taking a trip to an empty Fenway Park where a welcome placard greeted Hayward above center field, followed by a recruitment video featuring current and former Celtics and just-retired Red Sox great David Ortiz.

The Celtics concluded their critical free-agent recruiting meeting with Utah swingman Gordon Hayward on Sunday and team officials came away with a positive sentiment as the former Brad Stevens pupil decides among three teams.


Jae Crowder has played the small forward position for the past two seasons but the club has long-coveted Hayward, who played for two seasons at Butler University under Stevens, leading the Bulldogs to the national championship game.

Hayward, 27, averaged 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, and shot 39.8 percent from the 3-point line. He opted out of his contract with the Utah Jazz last week but is expected to meet with Utah’s brass on Monday in San Diego.

The Celtics would offer Hayward a maximum contract with visions of him pairing with Thomas as a 1-2 scoring punch in a league that has become more focused on scoring.

An NBA source with knowledge of the Celtics meeting with Hayward said: “Felt like the communication was excellent and the case was made for Gordon being a great fit.”

Hayward is expected to make a decision by later this week. He is the final major free agent remaining with Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka having committed to returning to the Toronto Raptors.


The relationship between Hayward and Stevens has been one of respect over the years, with Hayward realizing Stevens’s impact on his career. Stevens was there at Logan to welcome Hayward, and the two posed in a picture with someone who was also on Hayward’s flight from Miami to Boston.

“He knows how to make people successful,” Hayward said of Stevens in February 2016. “He puts guys in the right positions. He’s very smart with reading defenses and knowing how teams are going to play and what they’re going to do, switches, whatever. They beat us on a last-second shot last year, on their play. He’s just a really smart coach and he always brings the best out of his players. Like I said, I’m proud of what he’s been able to do.”

The Celtics have been interested in Hayward for more than three years, meeting with him during free agency before he signed a four-year, $62 million extension with the Jazz in 2014. That contract had an opt-out clause after the third season, which Hayward exercised.

The Jazz can offer Hayward more money and an additional year on his contract because they own his Bird Rights, and Utah was able to procure a contract with Hayward’s friend, Joe Ingles, to return to the Jazz on a four-year contract. Their brass, including general manager Dennis Lindsey and coach Quin Snyder, will meet with Hayward at his vacation home in San Diego.

. . .


As expected, the Celtics waived center Tyler Zeller before his contract became guaranteed for $8 million next season. The Celtics could have included Zeller’s nonguaranteed contract in a trade but weren’t going to pay him that amount next season for roster flexibility.

Zeller played three seasons with the Celtics had a significant role in his first season but his playing time tailed off the past two years. He played 51 games last season, starting five, averaging 3.5 points after 10.2 during his first season.

Related: NBA Offseason Tracker – Where have players landed?

Related: Beyond Gordon Hayward, there is no Plan C for Celtics

Gary Washburn can be reached at gwashburn@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter at @GwashburnGlobe.