WHY do these players get paid millions. Does he get paid for the missed games or not?
If it was just an in-season ''meaningless'' game I would get it, but a player can't leave the team during the most important part of the year for private reasons, unless it's something very urgent or terrible. It feels like Hayward isn't really committed to the team.
The Celtics have a problem with Hayward's contract, because letting him go next summer won't generate any (relevant) cap space. The Celtics' payroll, even before a max extension for Tatum, will be too high.
Maybe the best course would be to try to trade Hayward at the trade deadline (by adding picks/rookies/sophomores) for a (borderline) All Star to a team that needs cap relief and young talent?
Obviously the Celtics can't give Hayward an over generous contract again. To make a renegotiation of his contract interesting for Hayward it has to be at least 70 to 80 million for the coming 4 years, which I'm not sure he's worth it. Considering the luxury tax and the focus on the future by management (illustrated by the young roster and keeping draft picks) there's probably no future for Hayward with the Celtics any longer than necessary.