WASHINGTON, D.C. - Kyrie Irving admits that despite the Boston Celtics being on top of the Eastern Conference, he imagines the moment when a healthy Gordon Hayward returns to play for Boston.
Irving said he is comfortable with the current roster of the Celtics, but can't help but wonder what the team's potential would be if Hayward were also available.
Hayward fractured his ankle during his debut this season in Cleveland. Although both the Celtics and Hayward have already stated that they do not expect him to return this season, Hayward has not ruled out a comeback, though his focus has been simply on improving day by day.
"In a perfect world, man, Gordon would be playing right now," Irving said. "I think about lineups all the time. I know I get caught up in the different possibilities and that's not necessarily a positive thing, but when I do think of it, I understand how talented Gordon is and what he would bring with the pressure that he would take off me and other members of this team.
"So I think it's like having an ace in your pocket that you can't necessarily use right now with Gordon being out, but we want him to be as healthy as possible and that's our stance."
The Celtics are 39-16 despite being without Hayward and have a one-game lead over the Toronto Raptors at the top of the East. It seems that Boston will formally incorporate Greg Monroe, and Irving said he was happy if he was the only addition.
However, he can't help but think about how the team would look with Hayward on the court.
And how would a complete lineup with Hayward look?
"I only think about big lineups, man," Irving opined.
"I'm probably rushing in terms of big lineups with me, [Hayward], [Jayson Tatum], [Jaylen Brown], and Al [Horford]. Or it could be me, Terry [Rozier], Gordon, JT, [Marcus Morris]. We could have so many options and so much depth as we want."
"Because when you have someone who can get open, dribble, create opportunities for others, and defend, it simplifies everything."
The Celtics have a seven-game lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Irving's former team, and a 99.4 percent chance of being one of the top-seeded teams in the East, according to ESPN's Basketball Power Index.
The Celtics aspire to compete for the title in the East even without Hayward. Monroe could boost Boston's bench scoring, and the Celtics have seen their young players progress this season.
Brad Stevens, coach of the Celtics, has already said that he likes how his team remains focused in every game.