If Hayward opts out...Will Danny Ainge be forced to pivot again?

[Quetzalcoatl]

If Hayward opts out, then there needs to be some serious internal discussions as to figuring out why Kyrie, Horford, and Hayward all decided to opt out of the final year of their deals and just leave. Each guy was a major acquisition and should have been the centerpiece to build around. Are Danny and Brad so infatuated with Tatum and Brown that they don’t respect the veteran star hierarchy? Or did Danny and Brad tell those guys (Horford and Hayward) one thing during recruitment, and do something differently going forward.

I do feel the Celtics are very similar to Philadelphia in that Simmons and Embiid seemingly have full autonomy, which may be the case with Tatum and Brown. It seems like all four guys are too young and have won nothing to deserve that status, and it may rub star veterans the wrong way.

There is no mystery.  Kyrie was traded for and never wanted to be here.  He and KD wanted to team up.  The Sixers significantly overpaid to get Horford.  If Ainge's offer was close to the Sixers offer, I don't think Horford would have left.  If Hayward leaves this offseason, it will be because some team overpays to get him just like Horford. 

Simmons, Embiid, Tatum and Brown don't have full autonomy and there's no evidence they are rubbing star veterans the wrong way.  Embiid and Butler really got along.  If Embiid were to be traded, I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up in Miami teamed up with Butler.

TP.  Kyrie and Horford left at the right time and allowed us to build up during their time here.  Hayward is clearly not leaving because Stevens is his college coach where they came a hair away from winning a title and clearly want to do it in the pros; they're best friends; it's over $30 million and we'll probably resign him; and we are better with him on the floor when we're healthy.

[IDreamCeltics]

Hayward opting out will just be the icing on the cake for his storied Celtics career - I can't imagine a more appropriate final chapter.

[tstorey_97]

Hayward and his agent got the "opt out" for a reason. He was originally signed as a part of the Anthony Davis sweepstakes.

Almost every element, except for Steven's presence here, that brought Hayward to Boston is gone. When you sign a player with that clause? That is the risk you take. Ainge tried for a home run and I think he was right to do it.

[mmmmm]

If Hayward opts out, then there needs to be some serious internal discussions as to figuring out why Kyrie, Horford, and Hayward all decided to opt out of the final year of their deals and just leave. Each guy was a major acquisition and should have been the centerpiece to build around. Are Danny and Brad so infatuated with Tatum and Brown that they don’t respect the veteran star hierarchy? Or did Danny and Brad tell those guys (Horford and Hayward) one thing during recruitment, and do something differently going forward.

I do feel the Celtics are very similar to Philadelphia in that Simmons and Embiid seemingly have full autonomy, which may be the case with Tatum and Brown. It seems like all four guys are too young and have won nothing to deserve that status, and it may rub star veterans the wrong way.

Hayward's teammates just voted him as one of the best teammates in the NBA.   And Kemba is famously very close with the younger players and the Jays frequently talked about his leadership.  Rookie Grant stayed with him during quarantine.   There is just all kinds of evidence that these guys legitimately all like each other.

I doubt seriously there is anything to what you are speculating about.

[pearljammer10]

Hayward opting out and walking is the worst case scenario for the Cs because of where we are cap wise. With Hayward We’re in the lux tax and have the TPMLE and BAE. Without him we get the MLE (which is what, 4 million more?) and the BAE.

I’d rather have 34 million in salary coming back in a trade than lose Hayward’s 34 million and still have essentially the same two exceptions except for that extra four mil.

If Hayward is opting out to sign elsewhere we need to do a sign and trade to save that money on our books.

[Darth_Yoda]

What about a Dallas option?

Hayward to Dallas with pick 30 for THJ, Wright, 18 and 30?

Can 3 team it:
Hayward to Dallas
Powell, Wright and #30 to Memphis
Dieng, #18 and 31 to Boston

Can 4 team it
Hayward to Dallas
Wright to Clippers
THJ, Powell and #47 to Memphis
Dieng, Shamet and #18 and 31 to Boston

[bogg]

Hayward and his agent got the "opt out" for a reason. He was originally signed as a part of the Anthony Davis sweepstakes.

Almost every element, except for Steven's presence here, that brought Hayward to Boston is gone. When you sign a player with that clause? That is the risk you take. Ainge tried for a home run and I think he was right to do it.

People are overthinking this - it's about the money, nothing more. Before covid it looked like the cap was just going to ratchet up indefinitely and Boston was going to be able to afford the four big salaries plus Smart if they had cheap supporting cast guys around them. Now with a cap set to decline the year after next Hayward's unfortunately the one that gets squeezed due to the timing of his contract and age (theoretically Boston could cash out on Tatum or Brown to pay Hayward, but that would be crazy, and Kemba's already locked in). If Boston could write unlimited checks Hayward likely retires in green.

[BitterJim]

Hayward opting out and walking is the worst case scenario for the Cs because of where we are cap wise. With Hayward We’re in the lux tax and have the TPMLE and BAE. Without him we get the MLE (which is what, 4 million more?) and the BAE.

I’d rather have 34 million in salary coming back in a trade than lose Hayward’s 34 million and still have essentially the same two exceptions except for that extra four mil.

If Hayward is opting out to sign elsewhere we need to do a sign and trade to save that money on our books.

Small note, but the BAE has the same restrictions as the full MLE. If Hayward picks up his option it won't be available to us