Brad Stevens reached out to the parents of Gordon Hayward during his previous free agency in 2014. Stevens already had a relationship with them from when he recruited and coached him at Butler.

Stevens had finished his first season with the Boston Celtics and even though he knew they wouldn't be in a position to sign Hayward, he wanted to let the family know he hoped to reunite someday.

Stevens texed Hayward's parents again as free agency opened this year.

“His text said, ‘I hope all is well. We’re really looking forward to having Gordon come visit,’ ” Hayward Sr. said.

Hayward Sr. said that if the Celtics had defeated the Cavaliers in the conference finals, his son would have been less interested.