Gordon Hayward Backs Brad Stevens’ Measured Use of Analytics After Jaylen Brown Deal
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Retired forward Gordon Hayward says criticism aimed at Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens for trading Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers is misplaced, insisting the executive does not lean too heavily on analytics.
Speaking on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Hayward—who played for Stevens at Butler University and later in Boston—described the former coach as someone who blends data with instinct when making roster decisions.
“I think he puts in as much stock (in analytics) as he needs,” Hayward said. “Brad definitely looks at the analytics, uses the analytics, and then makes the decision based on that and his gut.”
Stevens recently sent Brown to Philadelphia in a package that brings veteran forward Paul George—referred to by some observers as “what’s left” of the All-Star—and multiple draft picks to Boston. The move has been widely viewed as lopsided in the 76ers’ favor and has fueled debate over the Celtics’ reliance on advanced statistics.
Hayward, however, emphasized that Stevens has succeeded in every role he has taken, from leading Butler’s basketball program to coaching Boston and now running the Celtics’ front office. “All trades deserve time to play out on the court,” Hayward noted, adding that he trusts Stevens’ track record.
Whether the numbers ultimately justify the deal will become clear once the teams take the floor, but Hayward remains confident that Stevens’ approach strikes the right balance between analytics and intuition.
Source: Hoops Wire
