This post assumes that Gordon Hayward will opt out of the final year of his $34M contract. How would the Celtics pivot?
Last offseason, Al Horford opted out. Ainge was able to turn Kyrie, Horford, Rozier & Baynes’ departures into Kemba Walker (via sign & trade) and Enes Kanter. Doesn’t sound so great on paper, but replacing Irving with Kemba was crucial.
This time around it’s Gordon Hayward with the ability to opt out. How the Celtics are able to pivot depends largely on the NBA cap numbers for the 2020-21 season.
If the NBA salary cap is set to about $115M, the Celtics could open up cap space with a flurry of moves. However, if the cap is set to $110M, the Celtics would only be able to offer the full MLE ($9.3M) & BAE ($3.65M). (With the same flurry of moves)
This scenario assumes the cap is set to $115M:
- Hayward opts out
- Kanter opts out (or gets traded into cap space)
- Celtics trade Poirier & 30 for a 2020 second rd pick
- Traded into cap space or waived: Ojeleye, Green
- Renounce the rights to Brad Wanamaker
- Stash pick #26.
Projected team salary for 2020-21: $141M
Subtractions from the roster:
1) $141M - $34.1M (Hayward opts out ) = $106,900,000
2) $106.9M - $5M (Kanter opts out or is traded) = $101,900,000
3) 101.9M - $2.6M (Poirier traded for Cap relief) = $99,300,000
4) $99.3M - $3.2M (Ojeleye & Green waived) = $96,100,000
5) $96.1M - $1.9M (Wanamaker’s cap hold) = $94,200,000
Additions to the roster:
1) Sign Tremont Waters to the same deal Carsen Edwards has: $1.5M a year.
Cap: $94.2M + $1.5M (Waters) = $95.7M
2) Sign the 2nd round pick received in the Poirier trade.
Assuming it’s a pick in the 31-45 range, with a salary of $1.5M.
Cap: $95.7M + $1.5M (2nd rd pick) = $97.2M
3) Sign 14th pick: (projected salary: $3,036,700
Cap: $97.2M + $3,036,700 (14th pick) = $100,236,700
PROJECTED SALARY CAP AFTER A FLURRY OF OFFSEASON MOVES: $100,236,700M
I’m sure the number is slightly off (I’m no cap expert), but these moves would result in approximately $12M worth of CAP SPACE for the Celtics, as well as the room exception (or RME) worth $5M.
If the Celtics ended up in this scenario, what would your pivot move be?!?
Here’s my pivot: The Celtics offer Christian Wood a contract worth $12M a year (cap space).
Next, Boston looks to add a veteran or two using the RME worth $5M (kind of dependent on who the Celtics draft):
Bigs: Bismack Biyombo/Ian Mahinmi/DeMarcus Cousins/Harry Giles
Wings: Mo’ Harkless/James Ennis/Evan Turner
Guards: D.J Augustin/Isaiah Thomas (!!!)
After all is said and done, the Celtics would be left trying to fill the void of Hayward’s playmaking and scoring.
With the uncertainty surrounding Hayward’s contract, drafting a reliable two way wing would be ideal. This draft is filled with role players, mixed in with some all star potential. If not selected at 14, a solid wing can still be drafted late in round 1 or even in round 2.
This draft is arguably the most crucial for Danny Ainge. Finding another player with all star potential, would go a long way in terms of how Ainge is able to play his cards moving forward.
Again, what would your pivot move be? You have $12M in cap space, & $5M in exceptions (RME). GO!!