After gruesomely breaking his ankle in his opening game of the 2017-18 regular season, Celtics Guard Gordon Hayward looks like he’s ready to go. The Celtics still made a deep playoff run all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals without him and Kyrie Irving due to injuries.
Heading into 2018-19, the Celtics are primed for a playoff run. Hayward could be looking at a few suitors in a new sneaker deal. He has been with Nike for most of his career but could be working out a deal with a new brand.
Per ESPN, New Balance has a high interest in Hayward. Signing Hayward would open the doors for more basketball merchandise to be sold by the brand. New Balance has already partnered with the Celtics in their new 70,000-square-foot Auerbach Center, which is their new training facility. Joel Embiid is also being targeted to be signed with New Balance.
Chinese sneaker brand Anta could is also in the running for Hayward. He could be the next big name signed for this company as Klay Thompson is already the face of it with his KT shoe.