Back in 2017, there was a legitimate sweepstakes for the services of Gordon Hayward that the Boston Celtics ended up winning. The incumbent Utah Jazz and the Miami Heat were also after the services of the then 27-year-old, who was fresh off of an All-Star appearance that year.
It took a max deal to corral the services of the 21 point per game do-it-all wing for Danny Ainge and co. and acquiring the Butler product and pairing him with his college coach Brad Stevens was supposed to take his game to the next level alongside Kyrie Irving and Al Horford.