The decision is in: Gordon Hayward is no longer under contract with the Boston Celtics.
Celtics’ Gordon Hayward has opted out of his $34M deal for the 2020-21 season and will become a free agent, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 19, 2020
There is one glimmer of hope for Hayward to return or the Celtics to be compensated:
Now that Gordon Hayward has opted out, here are the paths forward:
-Re-signs with Boston
-Signs with ATL, CHA or NY outright
-Boston and Hayward work a sign and trade deal to a team over the cap
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) November 19, 2020
Hayward's opt-out viewed more as a formality.