With the free agent period fast approaching, the Celtics are pursuing an “aggressive” plan that would include signing Gordon Hayward and acquiring Paul George in a trade, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. The plan – first reported by Adam Kaufman of 98.5 The Sports Hub (Twitter link) – would require specific sequencing, and would hinge on getting a commitment from Hayward.
As Wojnarowski explains, the Celtics would want to get a verbal commitment from Hayward before attempting to finalize a deal with the Pacers for George. However, Indiana won’t necessarily be operating on the same schedule as Boston, and could look elsewhere in an effort to get something done with George while the C’s are waiting on Hayward.
Hayward is expected to start taking meetings with the Celtics and Heat on July 1, and the Jazz continue to fight to hang onto their star forward, according to Wojnarowski. The Vertical’s report indicates that Utah is exploring alternative offseason plans should Hayward leave, but is also working to upgrade its roster before July 1.
The Jazz have approximately $16MM in cap room that will expire on July 1, so that space could be used to accommodate a significant acquisition. For instance, ESPN’s Marc Stein has tweeted that Utah is among the teams to express trade interest in Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio. With their available cap room, the Jazz could absorb Rubio’s entire $13.5MM+ salary without having to send out any contracts.
If Hayward ultimately chooses Utah or Miami, the Celtics may look to substitute Clippers big man Blake Griffin in his place in an effort to land both Griffin and George, writes Wojnarowski. Griffin is also eligible for unrestricted free agency and can earn the same maximum starting salary as Hayward.
The Celtics and Pacers were said to be in “serious” talks involving George on draft night before those discussions stalled. As Wojnarowski points out, Boston is probably the Pacers’ preferred trade partner, since the C’s have a huge stockpile of young prospects and picks that would aid Indiana’s rebuilding process. Meanwhile, the Celtics also have a “growing confidence” that they could sign George to a contract extension and make him more than a one-year rental, which is “fueling” the team’s willingness to part with some of its assets, per The Vertical.
If the Celtics were to acquire George, he’d be eligible to sign an extension, but Boston would have to clear out even more cap room in order to renegotiate his contract and give him the sort a raise that might convince him to postpone his free agency. Like the rest of the Celtics’ plan, that wouldn’t be impossible, but there are a lot of moving parts involved that could complicate the situation.
Imagine that starting lineup. IT-Bradley-Hayward-PG13-Al Horford. They could hang with GS for sure and could probably beat Cleveland in the east.
Exactly. If Ainge can pull this off it validates the last couple years of waiting, as well as the Horford signing.
I still don’t think that is enough to beat the Cavaliers or Warriors.
I’m extremely curious as to why you think that lineup (and bench!) wouldn’t be enough to beat Cleveland. This insurmountable gap between Cleveland and Boston has been so blown out of proportion I can’t believe it. If the Celtics managed to get Hayward and George while only giving up Lakers 1st, Crowder, Smart and Zeller, and both teams entered the playoffs mostly healthy, we would be in for a CLASSIC 7 game series in the ECF that could easily go either way.
As a Cavs fan I’d be scared of that tean
My guess Bradley is going to Indy with crowder..
“hang with”…”probably beat” for these type of commitments they better beat Cleveland…i mean wtf…i still say Porzingis should be the focus until the Knicks say he’s not available. In baseball terms he’s “5 tool”
It all depends on what they are giving up. If they are sending out Tatum and Brown and the high picks they have, they more or less will be in the same shoes as Washington. All starters and no bench.
The word is it is Crowder and Zeller (salary filler), the Lakers ’18 pick and Memphis ’19 pick. I think Smart could be added as well
I read that too but he also mentions Avery Bradley is a possibility too.
No because they will likely keep at least 3 of Brown/Tatum/Smart/Crowder/Rozier, who are all players who can play on the bench. Not to mention they’d pick up the room exception which could grab a rotation piece, and I really like the guy they just drafted in the 2nd round, Ojeyle, his biceps are bigger than my head. Factor in Zizic and Yabusele, and basically Boston has enough stuff to throw out there that something has to work given the coaching, potential, and surrounding talent.
I don’t know how you get Hayward and George and not send out at least four of those players plus picks. You would hope they keep Tatum or Brown though if it’s for who is coming in, I don’t know how you argue it.
Because Hayward is an FA
Hayward takes cap space and then trade Tatum, Smart, Crowder, the Lakers/Sacramento pick, and the Memphis pick for George
Plus matching salary
The way the story made it sound was it would be the same deal. Then I re-read it. My bad
Agree. I don’t think Ainge will want to part with any past, present, or future Brooklyn picks (which includes Tatum & Brown) except for Young and I don’t think Rozier is quite ready so I don’t see how the C’s can deal both Smart and Bradley to Indy but if PG signs an extension then I think everything else is on the table.
There’s been so much back and forth about George. Can someone help me understand it? I’ve never been all that impressed. He’s a good player, but not a great player and certainly not (to me) a MAX player. If they sign him and Hayward, they won’t be resigning IT because they can’t afford 4 MAX players, right? So is PG really that much of an upgrade from either one of their younger players or some other, more reasonably priced option that might become available? Thanks.
Look up a highlight mix on youtube please
If they sign Hayward and extend George they’d be able to sign Thomas a little below max because of bird rights
We can give like Crowder, Rozier, and a first for George since they won’t get too much for him and that wouldn’t eat into the bench
If Crowder, Rozier and a first gets him, why wouldn’t Cleveland just offer Kevin Love? Easily a better trade for Indy.
Because Rozier’s best days are still in front of him and that first rounder carries plenty of potential. With Love you get a really good player and you become the old Minnesota Timberwolves for two years until he bolts and they are in the same, or if not worse spot than they are now.
Why would GH take less to sign with Boston? Not gonna happen!
Either way he gets paid an exorbitant amount of money and he would be going to play for a contender who happens to have the only coach to recruit him to college. I’m just guessing though.
He can make a guaranteed 36 million more if maxed out in Utah. It’s all about security!
True his best play if he wants money and to play for a better team is sign the max play the year out then ask to be traded. Obviously a dick move but could be done.
Right because a max from another team wouldn’t give him security. Are you thinking about what you are saying?
Players do it all of the time. Leave money for better situations. Lebron did it multiple times. Bosh, Wade, KD. George is talking about doing the same. Players do it every single offseason.
He does not get less to sign with Boston vs any other team. The only way he gets more is to sign with the Pacers which we know is not happening. He has said he wants to play with Hayward and the Celtics have the good to make a deal so this is worth watching. Very interesting.
I think he was referencing Hayward which is why he put GH.
Yes, Hayward. He can make a boatload more if Utah offers a max contract!
Durant could have made more if he stayed in OKC. That didn’t happen either. Why are people so seduced by, he can get more money at this place or that? Players turn down more money often because they know they can get paid a lot regardless of where they go.
Let me see….Durant is worth an estimated 150 million and just signed a 300 million dollar shoe deal a couple of years ago. I would say he can afford to make these ring chasing decisions!
Hayward will still make upward of $100 million wherever he signs so he’s not really worried about the extra 2.5 percent raises or whatever it is
So I notice you playfully ignored the other players who left money. How about Lamarcus Aldridge whose stock has really take a hit since coming to SA but he has a better chance to win now. From all indications Chris Paul and Blake Griffin might leave. Al Horford left. Wes Matthews. Chandler Parsons. I mean I can do this all day. Players that stay and get paid are usually in a position where they can win or don’t see a place to do better.
Hayward may not leave Utah. But I doubt it will be financially motivated.
It’s easy for us to say “it’s only 39 million dollars” or “what’s the difference between 135 million and 174 million, big deal”. It’s a big difference and most everything is financially motivated!
I have a feeling we are going to hear these Paul George rumors a lot and I wouldn’t surprised if they Pacers didn’t add to those rumors to spike the interest and the asking price.
idk how the bulls blew it so bad.
They made the trade way too early. They should have let the Pacrers set the market.
Wow they are moving Brown and Tatum here I am assuming, big mistake in my opinion. Those guys will be monsters 2 years down the line. Kevin if you can get Tatum please do, Indiana will make the playoffs with Tatum and Turner.
George is a rental. No way both Tatum and Brown go to Indy. I predict neither are included. Lakers pick will be the centerpiece.
Dionis I like your ideas most of the time but I’ve seen you say that basically everyone in this draft class is going to be an instant star and take their team to the playoffs and that’s just not realistic
I see 2-3 superstars and about 6 all stars in this draft.
Superstars-Ball,Jackson,Fultz, possibly Smith Jr
All-stars- Isaac,Monk,Giles,Markkanen,Tatum, Fox,Ntilikina, and possibly TJ Leaf and Zach Collins
Damn almost the whole lottery are going to be good. That never happened before and that never happen. There will be more busts than all stars in the lottery alone.
I’m down on Jackson, Smith and Isaac. Ntilikina has no track record of being some great prospect other than people likes how he looks. Markkanen will be an AS when Ryan Anderson is. TJ Leaf sort of falls into the same category though he has a chance to develop into a better defender. If Fox doesn’t develop a shot, he won’t be anything. Giles if he becomes an AS will soon burn out. I can see Fultz, Ball, Monk and Tatum being big time contributors. The rest have to show a lot before being more than bench players.
Choo choo! All aboard the hype train!
Not to mention you said Tatum and Brown will be the next McGrady and Carter :/
They seriously have that potential, Tatum’s scoring versatility is insane and Brown’s athleticism and work ethic will make him great.
This is crazy because the Pacers may be motivated to move George to anyone but the Lakers because they might be salty that George said he’s going there. If he does get to Boston with Hayward, he might end up similar to Paul Pierce. Born and raised in LA, become a champion in Boston
Why George? They’d have to surrender a ton to have him split after one year. He wants to be a Laker, plain and simple.
Why would the Celtics want George, he’s going
To LA. Heywood would be perfect!
Not to start ahead of myself, but making these deals for Hayward and George, assuming the George deal doesn’t include Brown, Tatum or the 2018 Nets pick, leaves the door open to make a run at Anthony Davis next year if he is available
If New Orleans looks to move Davis, Boston could offer Horford along with Brown, Tatum, Nets 2018, and future picks.
It may mean letting Isaiah walk as a free agent, but a core of Davis, George, and Hayward should be enough to compete with Golden State.
The Heat get free agent meeting with EVERYONE.
So Ainge’s plan is to have a roster with 6 Small Forwards?!?! I understand that some of them would go to Indiana in a trade and most players now are positionless but it’s still funny to think about. Also seems weird that Ainge would prefer George over Butler considering George will probably leave Boston even with a Finals appearance.