​Speaking this weekend with CLNS Media, Boston Celtics forward Hugo Gonzalez spoke about many things, including the NBA trade rumors that surrounded him this summer.Gonzalez, 20, gave a mature answer when talking about trade rumors, essentially saying that he understands the NBA is a business and that any player can be traded. He said he can’t control those rumors, either.He also reiterated how much he loves Boston and how it’s one of his favorite places.Gonzalez was discussed in trade rumors this offseason, specifically for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who the Celtics tried to get from the Milwaukee Bucks before he was traded to the Miami Heat. However, reports indicated that Boston did not want to part with Gonzalez, who they took in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft out of Spain.About GonzalezAgain, just 20 years old, Gonzalez appeared in 74 games for the Celtics last season, who went 56-26 and finished second in the Eastern Conference. Though he only averaged 3.9 ppg, he showed a good ability to get to the basket, be creative with the ball, and shoot from the outside (36 percent). He’s ticketed for a bigger role this year in the absence of Jaylen Brown, and it seems like one he is ready to grow into. Gonzalez served as the leader of the Celtics’ Summer League team in Las Vegas and also stepped up his game for the Spanish national team at the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.About his role for 2026-27Again, he’s ticketed for a bigger role. But what does that look like? It feels like he could be a big part of the Celtics “small-ball” rotation, where he could play alongside Payton Pritchard, Derrick White and Jayson Tatum. Gonzalez is 6-foot-6. He could also be a direct substitute for Tatum at times, and he could do the same for Paul George, who figures to have scattered availability in his quest to stay healthy.Also in the news for the CelticsOnce again, congratulations are in order for former Celtics assistant coach Kara Lawson, who led Team USA to a gold medal at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup on Sunday afternoon.The game was played in Berlin, Germany.The Americans defeated their rivals from France in the gold medal matchup, marking the second consecutive major tournament that they’ve beaten the French in the final. Team USA also won Olympic gold in Paris in 2024.