Brad Stevens will give Gordon Hayward video scouting assignments during his recovery

MILWAUKEE -- Gordon Hayward may be watching from the sidelines for the remainder of the regular season, but Brad Stevens wants to make sure he is going to remain an integral part of the team.

The head coach has told the All-Star forward that he plans on using his as a scouting resource over the next few months in conjunction with the team's coaching staff.

"We are just going to throw him different assignments that we're working on as a staff," Stevens said after the win in Milwaukee. "Just to keep him engaged." 

Stevens didn't want to reveal too many specifics about the nature of those assignments but this role is a unique responsibility for an NBA player and is an example of the respect that Stevens has for Hayward's basketball IQ.

"I just have a couple (assignments) I have in mind," added Stevens. "I don't want to get too specific or deep on it. Just so he can continue to stay engaged and give some of our younger players his insight."

Hayward is just starting the recovery process after undergoing surgery on his left ankle last week at New England Baptist Hospital.

"He’s doing better," Stevens said earlier this week. "But he’s obviously just beginning the rehab process. He did do a little bit of what he was supposed to do outside yesterday, which was good. Get out in the sun. He hasn’t come over to the facility yet, he’s at home today, but we’ve sent people to him. He’ll start coming in a little bit more over the next few days to get worked on here, to get re-checked here, and everything else."