4:57pm: Hayward has told the Celtics he wants to go to the Pacers, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe tweets. The Pacers offered Myles Turner and Doug McDermott to Boston in a sign-and-trade scenario but the Celtics want Turner and either Warren or Victor Oladipo.
4:45pm: The Hornets are expected to pursue Gordon Hayward in free agency but will likely need to work out a sign-and-trade agreement with the Celtics to make it happen, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports.
Hayward declined his whopping $34.2MM option in order to become an unrestricted free agent. In 52 games last season, he averaged 17.5 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 4.1 APG on .500/.383/.855 shooting but missed a good chunk of the playoffs with an ankle injury.
Charlotte has approximately $19.4MM in cap space, so it’s unlikely Hayward would sign a multi-year deal unless there’s a sign-and-trade scenario with Boston and perhaps a third team as a facilitator.
The Hornets could dangle the expiring contracts of Cody Zeller and Nicolas Batum as part of the package, Scotto notes.
Hayward has some history with the Hornets franchise. He signed an offer sheet with Charlotte in 2014 when he was a restricted free agent but the Jazz matched it.
The Pacers are also interested in Hayward via a sign-and-trade but are reluctant to part with T.J. Warren and Aaron Holiday, two players that Boston would have some interest in acquiring, according to Ian Begley of SNY TV. However, Hayward may try to force the Celtics’ hands. The former Butler University star is “fully focused” on returning to Indiana and playing for the Pacers, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania (hat tip to RealGM).
The Knicks are also expected to be in the mix for Hayward after freeing nearly $40MM in cap space.
Some with the organization have interest in signing Hayward as a free agent. However, the Knicks are unlikely to offer Hayward a four-year deal, Begley adds.
19.4 mm of cap space is more than sufficient to give him a 80 mm/4 years. Is he expecting more than that?
Yes he is
Yes and he will get it.
Omg how OP would that be
Hayward and a first for Turner and Oladipo
Celtics with
1. Walker. Smart. Pritchard
2. Oladipo. Langford
3. Brown. Nesmith. Ojeleye
4. Tatum. GWilliams
5. Turner. Theis. RWilliams
Would be a great move for the Celtics
That’s a roster I can get be hind
Would make them a favourite in the east and would be a good chance at winning chip. Plus with all those young players would be a huge threat for many season
Pappy likey
Turner + Oladipo/Warren for a one-legged Hayward
“Sounds fair to me.”
– Danny Ainge
I can’t believe Boston declined getting turner for Hayward, turner would fit great on the cs
it’s all part of the process of negotiating. This is where Haywood wants to go, Celts are trying to accommodate while trying to get as much as possible for their asset.
And celtics could very well have someone else on the table other than Hayward, or maybe even some picks.
Ahhh the beauty of taking that breath yesterday Curtis. People calling for Danny’s head . Laughable
It was pretty obvious there was more to this than met the eye.
Yea. People flipped yesterday. The opt out was gonna happen regardless. If he stayed. Got traded or just left .
Crack? Is that what your smoking Danny Ainge? Is it crack? Put down the pipe and stop trying to fleece your neighbors with your crack head deals. Turner and Oladipo for gordon heyward jesus freaking christ. Do the deal for turner and mcdermott you putz. Hes working like he knows his jobs secure and it irks me as a Cs fan.
And its been this way since he signed that chump Heyward. Downhill. Trading down for tatum widthstanding
honestly not sure i like the deal for a maxed out turner for gordon straight up
do i think hayward is worth more? no
but if hes forcing his hand u try to squeeze something else out. oladipo has no trade value. warren is a borderline starter.
east isnt getting easier w nets healthy and milwaukee all in
TJ & Turner are light years better than Gordon & even Oladipo if he gets himself close to healthy he is much better also… personally I think either of the 3 is an overpay for him, just my opinion!
Danny don’t smoke crack. He is part of the Mormon ministry for goodness sakes! He is a cagey wheeler dealer, and this is coming from a Knicks fan.
good point felt like 4/80 was his range but maybe he wants 4/100….i dont think hes worth more than 20 tho.
he will get more than Horford
They should take who ever they get because they can’t afford to lose him for nothing
Danny is just negotiating. You won’t get what you want if you don’t ask.
Clearly, Indiana wants Hayward and Hayward wants to be in Indy.
He would be a huge draw for the Pacers (local boy comes home), so that’s why Danny can push a little on the offer.
Ya but sometimes if you push to hard things fall apart fast and end up with nothing personally I don’t think it will happen here but you never know
Why can the Pacers/Celtics discuss sign and trade? But Bucks/Kings can’t???
Because free agency started today.
Ainge being greedy. Turner and McDermott is good return.
Turner is perfect for Celtics. He’s young too. Makes them contenders for yrs. I can’t believe they can get him for Hayward. To me he’s just not the same player. Why give up on Turner for a home crowd favorite. Pacers just don’t want to take next step. Giving up on Oladipo and Turner. And what happens to TJ Warren now. They play same position. Danny should just take McDermott. Add a Pacers second rd pick. Turner much better fit than Hayward.
Told you something else was happening man…
Yes I would take that offer in a minute Why would they give up Tj warren, take Doug and turner and run .
Hayward wants to go home. I get that. End his career there I guess. Well I’m just glad Knicks didn’t overpay for him. I was nervous for awhile. I rather sign Gallo. If Pacers want to move Warren. Call the Knicks lol.
It’s crazy to me that Gallo is only 32. It feels like they traded him 20 years ago.
Everyone on here the other day Oh Em Gee, the Celtics let him get away for nothing blabbity bla.
This is why you have to let things play out.
Omg please pleaseeee get Turner & Oladipo
I would so take The Pacers offered Myles Turner and Doug McDermott …Doug would be a great option off the bench .