Before the Celtics acquired Kyrie Irving in a late-summer blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Gordon Hayward was the clear prize of the offseason for Boston. He had been a primary target for Danny Ainge and the rest of the team’s brass for a few years, and finally, after an eventful game of will-he-or-won’t-he, Hayward decided to sign with the Cs.
It was a big moment for the franchise and still is. Irving’s arrival, with all of its drama and posturing, overshadowed Hayward’s decision, and it was obvious during the introductory press conference the Celtics held for their two new All-Stars.