It looks like we may not get a decision from Gordon Hayward by 5 p.m. Tuesday after all.
According to ESPN's Zach Lowe, the Celtics and Hayward are working to extend the deadline for Hayward to opt in or out of his contract until Thursday afternoon.
Yahoo! Sports' Keith Smith later added that the two sides have indeed agreed to the extension, with the new deadline set for 5 p.m. Thursday.
Hayward could make $34.2 million if he opts in, either with the Celtics or with a new team if he gets traded.
If he opts out, he loses out on that money, but becomes a free agent and can sign with anyone or sign a new deal with the Celtics.
There has not yet been a reported reason for the extension. It could mean that Hayward wants out, but that both he and the Celtics are willing to take more time to work out a trade. That could be a trade after opting in, or after opting out and signing a new contract with Boston.
There's also the possibility that Hayward plans to opt out and sign a new contract with the Celtics -- presumably for more years but less annual money -- and that the two sides need more time to negotiate.
The Celtics losing Hayward via opt-out rather than trade would be the worst-case scenario, as it would mean they get nothing in return for him other than a mid-level exception to use in free agency. The mid-level exception would not land them a player of Hayward's caliber, though.
