Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward on October 2, 2017. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Celtics coach Brad Stevens sat down with the Boston Globe's Adam Himmelsbach for a wide-ranging interview, and hit on a number of important items with the NBA Draft just two nights away.
No, we don't know who the Celts will draft at Number 27, provided they don't trade up into a premier position, nor do we know beyond speculation how the organization feels about the idea of trading for seemingly available Spurs superstar Kawhi Leonard.
But, Stevens did confirm both Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward are on track to be fully cleared and playing pick-up games by mid-August. Stevens said Hayward's doing great after having a plate removed from his left foot.
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The coach also said the entire organization hopes to re-sign restricted free agent Marcus Smart. The guard's a big part of the C's DNA. Aron Baynes as well. He's unrestricted.
Stevens touched on the devastating Game 7 defeat to the Cavaliers after the Celts finished mere minutes away from a trip to the NBA Finals. Despite his otherworldly dominance, Stevens said he felt his group did a good job defensively on LeBron James and defense in general wasn't the reason for the series loss.
That said, Stevens said he thinks he'll move past the loss and other losses when he's dead. That's just the way he's wired. But, it's time to move on and he's already thinking ahead to next year--with a healthy team!
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman reports