Would you rather the Celtics pursue Gordon Hayward or Blake Griffin in free agency?

Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward guards Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant during the second half of Game 4 of a second-round playoff series. AP Photo/Rick Bowmer

By Chad Finn

June 15, 2017

2 minutes to read

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Celtics free-agency either/or for you, Finn: Blake Griffin or Gordon Hayward? I go Hayward, but it’s easy to forget how dominant Griffin can be when he’s healthy. – TTM

With you on all of this, TTM. I still go Hayward too, mostly because of his skill-set (I’m done with Jae Crowder as someone you count on to make shots) and durability. I also still think it’s the more likely option because of the Brad Stevens/Butler connection. There’s a real bond there. From what I understand, Stevens essentially discovered Hayward as a high school player.

The Griffin option isn’t something I’d thought about much until Adrian Wojnarowski, who knows many things, said this on his podcast Wednesday:

“Boston is really the danger for Blake Griffin. 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.”

There’s obviously a lot more risk with the 28-year-old Griffin. He’s been injury prone in recent seasons, playing just 96 games over the last two years, and he comes with some baggage, having gotten into a bizarre fight with the Clippers’ assistant equipment manager in January 2016.

But he’s also a versatile and charismatic star, one who averaged 21.6 points and 8.1 rebounds last season, the latter a rate that would have easily led the Celtics. He’s also a fine passer, averaging 4.9 assists per game, which is more than Hayward (3.5). He’s improved his perimeter shooting in recent years, too. And he’s probably a slight upgrade over Amir Johnson on the Celtics’ front line.

I’m fully on board with the Celtics signing Griffin, but Hayward should remain priority No. 1, and they’re not getting both. But what do you guys say? Griffin, or Hayward? I’ll look for your wisdom in the comments.