The Gordon Hayward era has begun. The Celtics-might-not-love-Ray-Allen-so-much-anymore era continues.
Shortly after (finally) announcing they had signed the former Jazz small forward, the Celtics tweeted out a GIF of Hayward’s Boston jersey, which is No. 20.
The Celtics’ agreement with Hayward this month raised questions of whether the C’s would hold off on giving out No. 20 (which has not been worn by a Celtic since Allen) or if they would let Hayward wear it. Hayward wore No. 20 in college and over the first seven seasons of his NBA career prior to signing with the C’s.
Though Allen won a title with the Celtics in 2008, he does not hold strong relationships with the organization since leaving for Miami as a free agent after the 2011-12 season. Paul Pierce has said he kept to himself while with the Celtics, and he was not invited to Kevin Garnett's championship team reunion.