Howard Beck: Western conference GM says Hayward is leaving Utah

[csfansince60s]

When Ainge did nothing at the trade deadline ("to preserve cap space", he said), I figured he knew he had Hayward in the bag--and I said so at the time. That would be a good reason to do nothing. This could well be a confirmation of that.

A few of us on here agreed about that at the time...I recall...Roy was on the "we know one way or the other train', if I recall correctly.

TP to you guys.

That Miami article was crap, too. When I saw "their winning culture" as one of the allures for the cHeat, I almost puked and the and the report lost ALL credibility with me.

Hayward is coming here.

[hpantazo]

I think Hayward watched the first 4 games of the Finals and solidified his decision to go to the Celtics, as he knows he isn't sniffing the Finals in the western conference.

[Moranis]

I wouldn't count the Heat out.  Whiteside and Dragic is a nice little duo.  Winslow and Richardson are some quality young players. Plus who wouldn't want to live in Miami all winter and have no state income tax to boot.

[Darío SpanishFan]

When Ainge did nothing at the trade deadline ("to preserve cap space", he said), I figured he knew he had Hayward in the bag--and I said so at the time. That would be a good reason to do nothing. This could well be a confirmation of that.

I said that at the deadline and still think this way. TP

[hpantazo]

I wouldn't count the Heat out.  Whiteside and Dragic is a nice little duo.  Winslow and Richardson are some quality young players. Plus who wouldn't want to live in Miami all winter and have no state income tax to boot.

It is possible that being stuck in Utah so long, in Mormon country, Hayward may jump at the chance to go to a place like South Beach and let loose.

[PAOBoston]

I wouldn't count the Heat out.  Whiteside and Dragic is a nice little duo.  Winslow and Richardson are some quality young players. Plus who wouldn't want to live in Miami all winter and have no state income tax to boot.

Never ever count out Pat Riley. I was pretty comfortable thinking the C's were the only real contenders for Hayward outside of Utah. Then I heard Miami. Not so sure now.

Riley also has an eternal hatred for the C's and Ainge. Like it is real.

[PaulP34]

I wouldn't count the Heat out.  Whiteside and Dragic is a nice little duo.  Winslow and Richardson are some quality young players. Plus who wouldn't want to live in Miami all winter and have no state income tax to boot.

Never ever count out Pat Riley. I was pretty comfortable thinking the C's were the only real contenders for Hayward outside of Utah. Then I heard Miami. Not so sure now.

Riley also has an eternal hatred for the C's and Ainge. Like it is real.

Miami is a possibe destination for Hayward but id think Riley would have to pick up another allstar player to really attract Hayward. I dont think he goes to Miami with the roster they have now.

Boston is gonna be a much sexier choice for Hayward with IT, Horford and Brad Stevens coaching. But anything can happen between now and his final decision

[Birdman]

He will never win a championship at Utah...has good chance at Boston

[Future Celtics Owner]

Point Guards. If Hayward stays in Utah he will be playing without George Hill (most likely).

BOS and MIA both have PG's on George Hills level or better. Although, Boston has better PG and more of them....with a strong possibility of adding the #1 consensus pick (who happens to be a PG that can also play SG due to length and ability) who can score and stretch the floor and be a playmaker from day 1. This is important because injuries happen in the NBA and Boston in a worst case scenario can still offer the PG/SG to play along Hayward and still stretch the floor and perform playmaking even if there is an injury in the starting lineup.

[Phantom255x]

He could be leaving Utah... but is he leaving the West entirely?

San Antonio could be in the mix as well (look at the "2016-2017 Hayward Thread").

[Moranis]

I wouldn't count the Heat out.  Whiteside and Dragic is a nice little duo.  Winslow and Richardson are some quality young players. Plus who wouldn't want to live in Miami all winter and have no state income tax to boot.

Never ever count out Pat Riley. I was pretty comfortable thinking the C's were the only real contenders for Hayward outside of Utah. Then I heard Miami. Not so sure now.

Riley also has an eternal hatred for the C's and Ainge. Like it is real.

Miami is a possibe destination for Hayward but id think Riley would have to pick up another allstar player to really attract Hayward. I dont think he goes to Miami with the roster they have now.

Boston is gonna be a much sexier choice for Hayward with IT, Horford and Brad Stevens coaching. But anything can happen between now and his final decision

Winslow missed most of the year.  Richardson and Waiters played a little over half the year, and the Heat closed very well to finish with 41 wins.  They aren't as far away from real contention as we would like them to be, which makes them a real threat for either Hayward or Griffin (the C's likely top two targets). 

If they clear Bosh (or at least most of his contract - I don't recall what they agreement was), then they will have room for a max contract and will still be able to keep Waiters because his cap hold is so low (if they cut Ellington and let go all other cap holds, they would actually have room for a max, a mid-tier player, and can still keep Waiters).  Now I don't think a team of Dragic, Waiters, Hayward, McRoberts, Whiteside with Winslow, Richardson, T. Johnson, and 14 (Giles?) is better than Boston would be with Hayward and Fultz (and no Bradley), but it isn't so far behind that Miami can totally be discounted either. 

[Phantom255x]

I wouldn't count the Heat out.  Whiteside and Dragic is a nice little duo.  Winslow and Richardson are some quality young players. Plus who wouldn't want to live in Miami all winter and have no state income tax to boot.

Never ever count out Pat Riley. I was pretty comfortable thinking the C's were the only real contenders for Hayward outside of Utah. Then I heard Miami. Not so sure now.

Riley also has an eternal hatred for the C's and Ainge. Like it is real.

Miami is a possibe destination for Hayward but id think Riley would have to pick up another allstar player to really attract Hayward. I dont think he goes to Miami with the roster they have now.

Boston is gonna be a much sexier choice for Hayward with IT, Horford and Brad Stevens coaching. But anything can happen between now and his final decision

Winslow missed most of the year.  Richardson and Waiters played a little over half the year, and the Heat closed very well to finish with 41 wins.  They aren't as far away from real contention as we would like them to be, which makes them a real threat for either Hayward or Griffin (the C's likely top two targets). 

If they clear Bosh (or at least most of his contract - I don't recall what they agreement was), then they will have room for a max contract and will still be able to keep Waiters because his cap hold is so low (if they cut Ellington and let go all other cap holds, they would actually have room for a max, a mid-tier player, and can still keep Waiters).  Now I don't think a team of Dragic, Waiters, Hayward, McRoberts, Whiteside with Winslow, Richardson, T. Johnson, and 14 (Giles?) is better than Boston would be with Hayward and Fultz (and no Bradley), but it isn't so far behind that Miami can totally be discounted either.

Waiters will become a FA and is expected to make something along the lines of 4/60M, or possibly more depending on the bidding war:

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-free-agency-where-could-dion-waiters-land/

Don't be fooled, without Waiters, there is no late push to get into the postseason for Miami. If they sign Hayward but lose Waiters, I'm really not sure if that improves Miami overall as a ton, and I'm sure Hayward would know that. Maybe a 7 seed at best?

Even if they stretch McRoberts and waive Wayne Ellington, they probably keep James Johnson but still may not be enough to keep Waiters (unless Waiters is willing to take a decent discount). But it is possible they lose BOTH Johnson and Waiters too.

[Eddie20]

I wouldn't count the Heat out.  Whiteside and Dragic is a nice little duo.  Winslow and Richardson are some quality young players. Plus who wouldn't want to live in Miami all winter and have no state income tax to boot.

Never ever count out Pat Riley. I was pretty comfortable thinking the C's were the only real contenders for Hayward outside of Utah. Then I heard Miami. Not so sure now.

Riley also has an eternal hatred for the C's and Ainge. Like it is real.

Miami is a possibe destination for Hayward but id think Riley would have to pick up another allstar player to really attract Hayward. I dont think he goes to Miami with the roster they have now.

Boston is gonna be a much sexier choice for Hayward with IT, Horford and Brad Stevens coaching. But anything can happen between now and his final decision

Winslow missed most of the year.  Richardson and Waiters played a little over half the year, and the Heat closed very well to finish with 41 wins.  They aren't as far away from real contention as we would like them to be, which makes them a real threat for either Hayward or Griffin (the C's likely top two targets). 

If they clear Bosh (or at least most of his contract - I don't recall what they agreement was), then they will have room for a max contract and will still be able to keep Waiters because his cap hold is so low (if they cut Ellington and let go all other cap holds, they would actually have room for a max, a mid-tier player, and can still keep Waiters).  Now I don't think a team of Dragic, Waiters, Hayward, McRoberts, Whiteside with Winslow, Richardson, T. Johnson, and 14 (Giles?) is better than Boston would be with Hayward and Fultz (and no Bradley), but it isn't so far behind that Miami can totally be discounted either.

Waiters will become a FA and is expected to make something along the lines of 4/60M, or possibly more depending on the bidding war:

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-free-agency-where-could-dion-waiters-land/

Don't be fooled, without Waiters, there is no late push to get into the postseason for Miami. If they sign Hayward but lose Waiters, I'm really not sure if that improves Miami overall as a ton, and I'm sure Hayward would know that. Maybe a 7 seed at best?

Even if they stretch McRoberts and waive Wayne Ellington, they probably keep James Johnson but still may not be enough to keep Waiters (unless Waiters is willing to take a decent discount). But it is possible they lose BOTH Johnson and Waiters too.

Moranis like everyone's situation A LOT. If we had the same roster as Miami he would be quick to point out that Dragic is 31, they missed the playoffs, Winslow has not improved at all, they traded away several of their future draft picks, will have to deal with Tyler Johnson's ridiculous deal next year, and both Waiters and Johnson (both key players) are unrestricted.

[Dannys Chipotle Guy]

Utah and Boston both seem like better destinations.

I only really see him going to Miami if one of Utah or Boston refuse to offer him the full max.

It is quite easy for Boston to free up ~29 mil for Hayward. It is quite difficult for us to free up the full max. Could Hayward's agent be playing up this interest to force Boston to give the full max?

Obviously its super speculatory but crazier things have happened.

[ChillyWilly]

I wouldn't count the Heat out.  Whiteside and Dragic is a nice little duo.  Winslow and Richardson are some quality young players. Plus who wouldn't want to live in Miami all winter and have no state income tax to boot.

State tax kills all pro athletes no matter who employees them and we all found out the truth when someone posted a 2 week check from Andrew McCutchen on a $820k 2 week check. He only took home HALF and stat tax only accounted for $17k of the $420k in deductions.

Pro athlete tax in every city they play is what really kills them.