Ainge has an idea of ​​why Gordon Hayward wanted to leave the Celtics

When it comes to Gordon Hayward leaving the Celtics … it’s complicated. But Danny Ainge told Sports Hub 98.5 Touch & Rich on Tuesday that one of the main reasons he left Boston for the Charlotte Hornets was his role on the field.

“We decided to try and bring Gordon back,” Ainge said. “That was our No.1 goal in the offseason was to bring Gordon back with the Celtics, he’s a great player. I just think he preferred to go somewhere else and made his choice to go to Charlotte. don’t know what else to say about it.

“There was a lot of talk, I think there was hope we had until the end that he would come back. But I think he preferred to be a more featured player, and Charlotte him. was paying a lot of money, and he chose to go. “

Ainge clarified that Hayward hadn’t necessarily told him directly that he wanted a bigger role on the pitch, but had had enough discussions with Hayward to deduce.

Hayward signed a four-year, $ 120 million contract with the Hornets as part of a possible signing and trade with the Celtics, which saw Ainge benefit from a trade exception of $ 27.9 million – the biggest commercial exception in NBA history. The Celtics also sent two second-round picks to Charlotte for a conditional second-round pick as part of the signing and trade.

The now former Celtic becomes the only Hornets player to have an All-Star appearance to his name. It is therefore very likely that Hayward will fulfill his wish for a “more featured player” on their roster.

MORE: Celtics Post Injury Updates For Kemba Walker And Others

Ainge also spoke about the Celtics’ free agency offseason, Kemba Walker’s status and other injuries, and the draft.

Listen to Danny Ainge’s full interview on Touch and Rich above. T&R airs weekly from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on 98.5 The Sports Hub. Listen to full hour podcasts here at 985TheSportsHub.com.