The Boston Celtics plan to pursue several top free agents this offseason, and have identified their top two options.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, Boston plans to strongly pursue both Gordon Hayward and Blake Griffin, and are a real threat to sign Griffin away from Clippers.
"Boston is really the danger for Blake Griffin," said Wojnarowski. "I think Boston's two primary free agent targets, right now, are Gordon Hayward and Blake Griffin. Now they're not going to get both of them, but they're both players that would potentially have interest there. I think Boston looks at in different ways with their future."
Griffin is expected to opt out of the final year of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. He has said that he wants to stay with the Clippers, but if Los Angeles doesn't offer him a five-year max deal (and there's a chance they won't), he may be playing elsewhere next season.
Boston had trade conversations with the Clippers about acquiring Griffin at the trade deadline, but where unable to do so. However, it does show their level of interest.
The Celtics also have a strong connection with Hayward thanks to Brad Stevens, who coached him at Butler, and they have maintained a very strong relationship. If Hayward decides to leave Utah, the Celtics are his most likely landing spot.
Griffin averaged 21.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 61 games this season, while Hayward averaged 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
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