I think it may have logic what Washburn has heard/proposed. Atlanta has cap space and can absorb Jae's contract without sending back players.
I'd trade Crowder to Atlanta for a 2018 first round pick, the best of Minnesota and theirs (lottery protected). Teams know we have to trade some players to make room for Hayward, so we don't have much leverage here. Getting Crowder for around 18 pick next year could be a good return.
Yeah their leverage is low given the C's very public situation, but I do think Crowder has some value around the league. As long as more than one team has interest, there is a bit of negotiating room.
It would be good to help Atlanta so they don't fall too far into the lotto. We don't want them to threaten the Nets for the worst record.
I don't think the leverage is too low, thankfully. The C's can make the room by trading any one of Crowder, Smart, and Bradley. None of those three have very high salaries, and without looking, I'd bet at least 2/3 of teams could make a trade for at least one that would clear the necessary salary, either through trade exceptions, non-guaranteed contracts, cap space, or just being able to send back enough less in guaranteed money. Each of those players makes far less than what they'd have gotten as free agents this year, and as the free agent market is starting to dry up, such a trade could very much be a team's best option at improving themselves. Accordingly, the number of potential trade partners who would find it in their own self-interest to make a trade regardless of the Celtics situation should lessen, if not eliminate, the potential discount created by the necessity of the Celtics to make a trade.
If they had to just find a trading partner for one player it could be more difficult, because the market of potential trade partners would shrink. But since it's one of three, and since the Celtics have such a versatile roster they can really trade any of the three, Ainge will be able to choose from a lot of offers. At least one will be good enough, although maybe none will be a Danny heist.