In another topic I laid out how a new Hayward-deal could be benificial for the Celtics and Hayward.
This trade topic is based on the hypothetical situation that has the following assumptions:
1. Ownership requires the Celtics to stay below the luxury tax set at $132.6M (to start the clock for repeater taxes)
2. Ainge and Hayward can't come to an agreement for a new contract on a lower annual salary
3. Haywards picks up his player option at $34.19M
4. Enes Kanter opts in for $5.01M and the Celtics pick up options for Daniel Theis ($5M) and Semi Ojeleye ($1.75M)
5. Ainge doesn't want to trade Walker, Brown, Smart or Tatum at allAs a result the only option here is to trade Gordon Hayward to lower the payroll, such that the Celtics get below the tax.Below I'll give a couple of examples of possible trade targets and teams that could be interested in Hayward. On purpose I will not make detailed trade proposals (based on fair value with picks etcetera) to avoid reactions as "that's terrible return", "laughable" or "completely unrealistic". Safe to say that Hayward + picks won't hand you a young upcoming star like Towns, Siakam or Booker, thus many proposals will feel quite underwhelming. Also the objective would be to try to avoid taking on (unnecessary) longterm salary.
I'll give the basics (feel free to add more options) and it's up to you to choose where you see a path for a deal and come up with the specifics what you'd think would be a reasonable proposal. You can re-arrange or expand to a 3-way-trade or whatever, but in any case Walker, Brown, Smart and Tatum are off-limits based on (
assumption 5).
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Miami Heat: Tyler Herro + Kelly Olynyk (picks up PO) (+ possibly Andre Iguodala)
It looks like the Heat are really aiming at 2021 to sign a big free agent (hence no extension for Adebayo expected), thus using their potential cap space to absorb a part of Hayward's contract for a year might be an interesting deal for them. Adding a versatile forward and shooter in Hayward would be a great help for Butler and Adebayo.
The Celtics could target the guy that was grapped before us in last year's draft: Tyler Herro. On the safe assumption that Olynyk picks up his option he's logical salary filler. Question is whether Andre Iguodala has to be included, when Miami doesn't have the cap space. Options to be included in a deal as well are: Edwards, Green, Poirier and pick compensation.
Indiana Pacers: Myles Turner + Jeremy Lamb/TJ WarrenHere we are again: Myles Turner. Such an obvious target and I have seen lots of trade proposals involving him in the past. Is Indiana finally ready to break up Sabonis and Turner? I don't think they will, but it would be an interesting deal for Boston. Lamb (injured) can be trading filler, where Warren will probably cost an asset (even though Indiana got a pick from the Suns to take him on).
Orlando Magic: Aaron Gordon/Nikola Vucevic + Al-Farouq Aminu/James EnnisThe Magic have a 'luxury' problem at PF with Gordon and Isaac. Therefore I assume Gordon is expendable for them, while Hayward would add necessary scoring and playmaking. To meet salary criteria Aminu is included who should be shifted to a 3rd team like Atlanta by adding a pick, which would then give the Celtics a 16M trade exception. Gordon is an okay starter with versatile defense, great athletism and a willing passer.
The other target could be Vucevic (adding Ennis as filler works). Other than Hayward, Orlando could also have interest in Enes Kanter as a one-year-starting-center alongside defensive specialist Isaac. In that way Bamba can ripen for another year as a back-up without too much responsibilities. Then Aminu comes in the picture again (Vucevic+Aminu for Hayward+Kanter as basics).
Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal (+ possibly Ish Smith for room for assets)
This one seems far-fetched. I'm surprised that Beal is still in Washington, which probably means they're asking a lot in return. So the Celtics need to add some significant assets (perhaps include Ish Smith to provide the room to add those assets into the deal) and then I still think other teams will offer more. Also no clue what the Wizards would want with Hayward or if they can find a 3rd team to take on Hayward (would the Celtics agree on a deal that facilitates the 76ers getting Hayward for Horford?).
Chicago Bulls: Otto Porter or Zach LaVine + Thaddeus Young or Zach LaVine + Lauri Markkanen + Luke KornetLots of rumours about the Bulls. They seem very ambitious and on the other hand LaVine might want to leave for a better place. The simple option here is Porter for Hayward, where the biggest objection is Porter's health. When healthy he's a prototype consistent low usage 3-and-D player.
It's easy to immediately shoot off any deal involving LaVine. But there are pros: LaVine is a good 3-way-scorer. LaVine was able to coexist next to Wiggins and Towns as a 3rd option. For a 25-5-4 guy, LaVine will be relatively cheap on the market. Options here are to take on Thad Young, who's a known capable role player or go for Markkanen (+ Kornet as filler). Maybe the Bulls have doubts about re-signing Markkanen. Anyway LaVine+Markkanen would cost the Celtics (expendable?) assets.
New York Knicks: Julius Randle or Bobby Portis (team option) (+ possibly some filler)
Randle has two years left on his contract and was disappointing as the 1st option in New York, but he was quite good in LA and New Orleans as a 3rd option (behind Ingram/Kuzma and Davis/Holiday respectively). Could Randle fit in the Celtics squad? Or how about Portis? He's a decent player as long as he doesn't punches teammates into the hospital.
Not sure if New York can absorb a part of Hayward's salary. Otherwise Taj Gibson, Elfrid Payton, Wayne Ellington, Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr are all players with one-year-contracts left whom can function as filler.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Andre DrummondI doubt there will be much interest in Drummond, but he's a consistent 15/15 center. On defense he gets steals and he's very athletic. Only one-year contract. Maybe include Poirier into the deal with some assets coming our way? Anyway not sure what Cleveland wants. Rookies haven't panned out and they still have Love. Pair Hayward and Love? Ship both guys to a 3rd team like Philadelphia???
Atlanta Hawks: Clint CapelaThe Hawks have cap space to obtain Hayward, who can be the ball handler when Trae Young sits. With Hayward it's possible for the Hawks to make the playoffs. Capela can be the new starting center for the Celtics. Settling for Dedmon instead of Capela would be a no-go for me.
Denver Nuggets: Gary Harris + Jerami GrantFinally Denver get their solution for the SF spot which they've been searching for years. Barton can go back to his natural SG-position and Porter Jr is the longterm-solution at PF. Hayward would probably be the second best player in Denver behind Jokic. I can definitely see the Nuggets having an interest here. The Celtics gets two good rotation players, who know their roles.
Utah Jazz: Rudy Gobert + Georges NiangHow much friction is there between Mitchell and Gobert? Lots of speculation whether Gobert can become available for trade. I'd love to see Gobert anchor the Celtics defense and Niang is a nice 3-point-specialist, on the other hand I don't think they want Hayward back in Utah after he left them. But the NBA is a strange place. Perhaps also bring them back Kanter and add Ed Davis as well in the deal (Gobert+Davis for Hayward+Kanter).
Oklahoma City Thunder: Steven AdamsThis one is very straightforward. OKC have a hole at the SF position and they can re-sign Noel to become their starting center. The Celtics have Theis currently as starting center, but Adams would be an upgrade for the bigs rotation and with his screens and paint presence he can add a lot of power.
Dallas Mavericks: Tim Hardaway Jr (picks up PO) + Delon WrightThe Mavericks will be looking for a 3rd star to play with Doncic and Porzingis. While Hayward isn't a big star he might be the best Dallas can get for now. Unfortunately Hardaway Jr is the most logical trading piece, which doesn't make a lot of sense for either Dallas or Boston I think. I do believe Wright would be a player Celtics' fans would appreciate.
Instead of Hardaway+Wright, it could also be Hardaway+Kleber+Marjanovic. It would give the Celtics a starting PF, but Dallas might really like cost-controlled Maxi Kleber. There are more complicated constructions with Dwight Powell and Justin Jackson in the mix, but the Celtics don't want to add a ton of extra players (feel free to experiment
).
Memphis Grizzlies: Gorgui Dieng/Jonas Valanciunas + Justise Winslow Who would have thought that the Grizzlies would be at a playoff spot in the west? I didn't. Morant-Brooks-Clarke-Jackson Jr form a great young core. Obtaining a borderline All Star in Hayward to add to that team for the time being might be a good move. Hayward is an easy fit on many teams anyway. Obviously the Celtics would prefer Valanciunas who is a very good player, but Dieng isn't terrible either and his overpaid contract is for just one season. It would be funny to have Winslow (team option) in Boston at last
. In case of Dieng+Winslow I feel Memphis should be adding value to close a deal.
Portland Trailblazers: CJ McCollum (+ possibly Nassir Little)
Unlikely for the Celtics to target McCollum, since a pairing of Walker/McCollum would make a very small and a very expensive backcourt. Also the Blazers seem to be content with McCollum. But if you're a fan of McCollum he's a possible trading option. If the Blazers don't want to extend Whiteside they may have interest in Kanter as back-up for Nurkic, in that case I'd like the Celtics to take a chance on Nassir Little.
San Antonio Spurs: DeMar DeRozan or Rudy Gay + Patty Mills or LaMarcus Aldridge + Derrick WhiteBased on salary matching the Spurs are very suitable to do business with. Three options, 1. DeRozan (good player, not a great fit, but valuewise a nice replacement for Hayward?), 2. Gay + Mills (one-year-deals to add veteran bench scoring, needs incentives from SAS), 3. Aldridge + White (one-year of good production with Aldridge and a good back-up PG). San Antonio would be a great destination for Hayward.