Poll: if it's our choice, Milsap or G Hayward

[KG Living Legend]

 It's pretty simple. Milsap definitely fills a need. A two way PF. One of the best in the NBA. However he's 32 and if it's a four year deal that could become an issue at 35 to 36.

 Hayward will be 27. Is a great fit for Stevens offense, but is only a slight upgrade over Crowder. However they could definitely play together. With Crowder playing small ball PF.

[Phantom255x]

Hayward. He easily fits in as the go-to scorer alongside Isaiah Thomas. When good playoff teams contain IT in the 4th quarter and the C's need offense somewhere, Hayward can provide it.

Hayward also fits in well with the "age" timeline (26 y/o), and is averaging 22/6/4.

He has size as well (6' 8"), can rebound a bit, and his defense isn't elite, but it's solid.

My problem with Millsap is his age being 32.. and the fact that adding Millsap makes us the "new Hawks".

Also, while Crowder's defense > Hayward's defense, Hayward is a much better offensive weapon than Crowder.

I think Ainge has his eyes set on Hayward or Griffin (that's the dream), and the likes of Millsap, Ibaka and Noel are more his Plan B in FA.

[Who]

Hayward because he is younger

[KG Living Legend]

Hayward because he is younger

 Wow. 7 to nothing already. TP to everyone who agrees with me in this Thread.

[csfansince60s]

Hayward, who will bridge the gap between our win now team and win later team.

In 8 years at 35, I can still see him contributing to what we are building on.

Add to that the Stevens factor, and it's a no-brainer.

[BringToughnessBack]

Longer window, Stevens guy, younger by a lot...for me its a no brainer.

I believe Ainge will either try to sign Hayward in offseason, or make trade for a game changer like Cousins...if it doesnt work out in summer, will wait another year for next free agent class and make a juicy 17 pick. He has not waited this long to add a Milsap or Okafor or Noel at cost of future flexibility tonget us a true second all star.

[Eddie20]

slight upgrade over Crowder.

Are you sure about that? Hayward is the Jazz's closer and is very effective in facilitating the offense. He's averaging 22.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, and 3.7 apg on efficient shooting. He's also a lot more athletic than Crowder, which allows him to create sepration/get his shot off against the best of defender.

I love Crowder, but Hayward is on another level.

[Csfan1984]

Hayward all the way as he is the best talent overall. Also Brown looks good as the back up SG and Crowder at the backup 3 is a Monster. Teams 1,2 and 3 spots would be stacked. The big next to Hordord is still very much in question especially if Hayward brought in via FA because you have to let some guys go.

[SHAQATTACK]

No ....neither beats the Cavs in playoffs.

[Bobshot]

Hayward doesn't play D, and he doesn't fill a need at the 3. They have Brown and Crowder there. And Brown is no 4--at least right now.

Millsap can play another 4 years, and is a perfect fit for their needs.

You draft the best player, but trade for/sign your needs.

[saltlover]

Hayward doesn't play D, and he doesn't fill a need at the 3. They have Brown and Crowder there. And Brown is no 4--at least right now.

Millsap can play another 4 years, and is a perfect fit for their needs.

You draft the best player, but trade for/sign your needs.

I honestly don't think you know what you're talking about.  Hayward doesn't have elite defensive skills, but he absolutely plays sound defense.  He's a better defensive rebounder than Crowder, for example, and opponents are only shooting 38% when defended by him.  In part because of those skills, he's got a top-20 defensive rating in the NBA.  I personally think Crowder would shift to the 4 because he's a little stronger, and eventually Brown would be there too because of his strength and wingspan.  But Hayward is a very capable defender.  And he'd be the 1B offensive option we need next to IT in the playoffs.

Of the players that are at least somewhat potentially available, Cousins is the best fit skillwise.  Then probably Griffin.  But Hayward is definitely ahead of Millsap.

[KG Living Legend]

slight upgrade over Crowder.

Are you sure about that? Hayward is the Jazz's closer and is very effective in facilitating the offense. He's averaging 22.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, and 3.7 apg on efficient shooting. He's also a lot more athletic than Crowder, which allows him to create sepration/get his shot off against the best of defender.

I love Crowder, but Hayward is on another level.

 I agree Eddie. He's much better. I was factoring in Crowder's edge defensively.

 My vote is for Hayward easily. This poll proves it's a no brainier.

 Best part is we get to keep Crowder as well.

[wdleehi]

Hayward.


Then use Brown or Crowder in a trade to strengthen the big man rotation. 

[oldtype]

It's closer than most people think. 

Hayward > Crowder, but the gap between Milsap and whatever flotsam we play at PF > the gap between Hayward and Crowder.  Hayward is younger so I'd probably still rather have him, but Milsap would be a much bigger upgrade immediately.

[CFAN38]

I agree with previous posters that Haywards age, relationship with BS and his offensive abilities would make him a nice fit with the Cs.

However like most moves this would cause a ripple effect through out the roster. This would be tough to project with the draft coming before Free Agency. The Cs simply can not  draft the BPA and then sign Hayward without making some big moves.

Such a scenario would leave a mess with not enough minutes at the 1,2 and 3 with only Crowder and Brown capable of moving up to play small ball 4. The following list of players will all warrant 20+ mpg next season. 

PG IT, Smart, draft pick (Fultz or Ball), Rozier

Wing AB, Hayward, Crowder, Brown ,draft pick (Tatum or Jackson)

Bigs Horford, KO?

To avoid this problem DA will have to make a trade for a Big and move 1 PG and 1 wing in the package. Unless he is included in a trade Crowder will likely have to accept a bench role will will be hard to except at this point in his career. 


The solution may be to use Rozier at the deadline in a deal for immediate big man help (Bogut). Draft BPA likely a stud PG and then if Hayward joins the Cs trade Crowder for the best big DA can get. I would hate to see Crowder moved but that would be needed to fix the rotation.

2017-18 (assuming Fultz pick, Hayward Signs and KO resign)

PG IT, Fultz, Smart
SG AB, Smart
SF Hayward, Brown
PF Horford,KO, Brown
C  Player acquired in Crowder deal , KO

I am hard pressed to predict who the big man target could be in a Crowder deal but maybe Valanciunas, Nurkic, Len, Okafor, Miles Plumlee (sign and trade?)