Category: NBA Free Agency

Report: Celtic Enes Kanter dealt to Blazers as part of 3-team deal

The Celtics lose a fantastic rebounder and activist, but gain a roster spot and a $5 million TPE.

The Enes Kanter era of the Boston Celtics has come to an end, with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reporting the outspoken big man will be moved to his former home with the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a three-team deal.

While exact details remain to be released, the trade will send Kanter to the Blazers, while wing Mario Hezonja and the rights to Desmond Bane (from the Celtics’ 30th pick in the 2020 NBA draft) will be on their way to the Memphis Grizzlies.

In addition, Boston will get a future ‘draft consideration,’ though at this point whether that is a first-rounder, multiple seconds, or something else remains unclear.

The Celtics will also generate a $5 million traded-player exception they can use to absorb salary in the next year either for talent or assets.

Kanter will be missed both on and off the court for his gregarious personality, activism, energy and offensive rebounding — and yes, we know, some of them came from his misses.

Fare thee well, good sir!

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Pacers researching ‘sign-and-trade options’ for Gordon Hayward: report

Is a trade to the Pacers realistic for Gordon Hayward?

The Indiana Pacers remain interested in signing veteran forward Gordon Hayward, according to the New York Times’ Marc Stein.

Without the requisite cap space, a sign-and-trade would be needed to do so, and the Boston Celtics would be the most logical — but not only — avenue for doing so.

The Pacers could also find a way to convince one of the few remaining teams in the league with cap space large enough to fit a Hayward signing to absorb the salary they’d need to complete the transaction, but given the probably cause, the Celtics will likely remain their best option.

At present, the New York Knicks remain interested in Hayward as well, and could sign the Indiana native outright as one of those cap space teams.

the Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets have also been tied to the Butler product in recent days — and a mystery suitor a la Al Horford could always materialize as a sign-and-trade option as well.

But chatter regarding the Hornets and Hawks seems to have died down, at least for now.

We may well soon get clarity however, with the start of 2020-21 free agency due to begin at 6pm ET this Friday, November 20th.

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Report: Kanter a likely trade target for ‘couple of teams’ with interest

Should he stay, or should he go? Kanter has been helpful, but does he want a bigger role?

Could Enes Kanter be on the move?

According to The Action Network’s Matt Moore, the veteran big man is a player of interest around the league in terms of being a trade target — and after opting into the final year of his current contract, worth $5 million, Kanter can now be dealt.

In fact, it appears a draft night trade was orchestrated for that reason — a trade that sent pick No. 30 to the Memphis Grizzlies in return for two future firsts could simply be an asset play to push the team’s draft pick forward into seasons they might have more room to roster them.

But it could also be to send Kanter’s salary with it, too.

For now, only intel spilling from trusted mouths or action will clarify the issue — and it’s not like the Turkish big man can’t contribute if he stays; he was a helpful player last season and even factored into some critical playoff wins.

The question at the heart of the matter is whether there might be a better option for one or both sides in the offing, as the veteran center may be looking for a bigger opportunity, and Boston a less-specialized skill set.

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Cs pick up Semi Ojeleye’s option; salary guarantee decision due Sat.

The Celtics having picked up his option, Semi Ojeleye now waits to see if the team will guarantee his salary Saturday.

Boston Celtics forward Semi Ojeleye will be with the team at least a bit longer, though his tenure with the Celtics is by no means assured.

ESPN’s Tim Bontemps reported the hyper-muscular wing has had his option for the 2020-21 season picked up by the team, and while that would normally lock a player into a guaranteed deal for the rest of the season, due to the structure of Ojeleye’s deal, the guarantee date (a decision as to whether to guarantee that salary, or set it to $0, effectively waiving a player) remains.

That decision is due this Saturday by Boston, who will likely remain as flexible as possible while they wait out the decision of Gordon Hayward.

The Southern Methodist University product has been a solid defender able to at least slow some of the burlier bodies in the league for the Celtics, but has struggled to find his shot consistently in his three seasons in the league.

There’s still a place for Ojeleye with Boston so long as the roster-building shuffle makes enough spots to keep him, even if the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach is hearing it’s unlikely.

And if he ends up a casualty of the crunch created by so many incoming prospects, he’ll likely find a home on another team.

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Vincent Poirier traded to OKC Thunder for conditional second-rounder

We hardly knew ya, Mr. Sexpants.

The Vinny Sexpants era of the Boston Celtics is over.

Vincent Poirier — as the French big man is better known — came over from Europe at the start of last season with the hope of continuing the success team president Danny Ainge has had bringing over player from Europe like Daniel Theis and Brad Wanamaker.

For whatever reason, the experiment didn’t work out with the Celtics, the Clamart, France native getting little meaningful playing time in a deep frontcourt rotation.

For that reason Poirier has been dealt with cash considerations to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a conditional second-round pick, according to the team.

That pick is likely to be a top-55 protected placeholder sent back to make the deal legal in the eyes of the league’s collective bargaining agreement, and the salary to make it a risk-free proposition for the Thunder to see if there may be any value to bringing on the Frenchman as a depth piece.

OKC will use one of their traded-player exceptions to accomplish the move, per Boston Sports Journal’s Brian Robb.

Poirier expressed frustration over his minimal role as might be expected, and with the roster crunch besetting the team, this move was all but certain to happen.

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Celtics extend qualifying offers to Tacko Fall, Tremont Waters

The Boston Celtics seem to want their two way players to stick around.

The Boston Celtics have reportedly extended qualifying offers to two-way players Tacko Fall and Tremont Waters, according to a press release circulated by the team Thursday.

Fall — signed by Boston after going undrafted out of the University of Central Florida — and Waters, drafted with the 51st pick of the 2019 NBA draft, were both considered likely to receive the offer.

The move makes them both restricted free agents, meaning Boston will have the right to match any offer sheet they may get in free agency.

“Fall averaged 3.3 points (78.6% FG) and 2.1 rebounds in seven games with the Celtics last season,” notes the release.

“The 24-year old also averaged a double-double (12.9 ppg, 11.1 rpg) in 29 games played with the Maine Red Claws of the NBA G League, and was named to the 2019-20 NBA G League All-Defensive team.”

Waters, 22, played in seven games with the Celtics as a rookie in 2019-20, recording 3.6 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 10.8 minutes,” it continues.

“The Louisiana State University product thrived in his 36 games played with the Red Claws this past season, producing 18.0 points (42.9% FG, 35.4% 3-PT), 3.2 rebounds, and 7.3 assists en route to being named the NBA G League Rookie of the Year and a First Team All-NBA G League selection.”

It is not out of the question that one or both might get an offer from a competing team in need if depth and complicating the Celtics’ roster building, but it seems likely the pair will be back in green and white next season.

The general consensus around the Celtics media sphere is that Waters may be elevated to a regular contract if space allows.

Fall, on the other hand, is seen as more likely to get another two way deal.

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Report: Celtics veteran Gordon Hayward to opt out, become free agent

While he isn’t gone for certain, the future of Gordon Hayward in Boston just got a lot slimmer.

Boston Celtic veteran forward Gordon Hayward will opt out of the final season of his current deal to test the waters of free agency, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

This does not mean the Butler product is gone necessarily, and the option re-signing or of a sign-and-trade to a new team remain on the table — but the possibility of a Celtics future without the Indiana native just got a lot bigger for Boston.

Hayward has reportedly fielded interest from multiple teams including the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks, both of whom have a path to signing the swingman outright.

With NBA free agency poised to start on Friday, November 20th at 6pm, we will soon find out the path Hayward will take, his Celtics tenure marred with bad luck and injury.

And perhaps underappreciation for what he’s brought to the table despite all of those injuries.

Hang on to your seats, folks — because this offseason could get wild.

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Report: Hawks pursuing possible sign-and-trade deal for Gordon Hayward

Could Gordon Hayward be joining forces with Trae Young in Atlanta? Quite possibly.

Gordon Hayward’s career as a member of the Boston Celtics may be nearing an end, as the potential free agent is currently being pursued by the Atlanta Hawks, among other teams.

According to Yahoo! Sports’ Chris Haynes, the Hawks have emerged as a serious suitor for Hayward and his services.

The team could pursue a sign-and-trade deal with the Celtics or sign Hayward outright if he opts out of what would be the final year of his contract — a scenario that continues to be possible.

The news of a serious suitor for Hayward doesn’t come as a complete shock. Hayward, who has a $34 million contract option for the 2020-21 season, had until 5:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday to determine whether to opt-in for his final contractual year in Boston or opt-out and hit the open market.

Prior to the deadline, however, the Celtics and Hayward mutually agreed to extend the deadline for the exercising of that option by about 48 hours. This was translated by many as an indicator that the Celtics were working on scenarios involving the guard and wanted an opportunity to further pursue them.

According to Haynes, while a sign-and-trade deal is possible, the Hawks are also equipped with potentially $44 million in cap space, which could be used to sign Hayward outright.

The Atlanta Hawks are in play in an attempt to acquire Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward…

A sign-and-trade deal is a possible route, but Atlanta is equipped with the most cap space in the league at around $44 million and can simply sign Hayward to a hefty multi-year deal if he decided to decline his option.

It should also be noted that Hayward could opt-in to the final year of his contract and thus become trade eligible. Delaying the deadline gives the three parties involved (Hayward, the Hawks and the Celtics) multiple avenues of pursuit if the sides are motivated to find an amicable solution.

Executing a sign-and-trade deal for Hayward would increase Atlanta’s salary cap maneuverability in that it would not be required to renounce the Bird rights of its pending free agents or otherwise make the necessary roster transactions to clear the space needed to sign Hayward. The additional maneuverability would be beneficial considering that Haynes is also reporting that the club is interested in pursuing former Celtic (and Laker) Rajon Rondo.

Update: Celtic forward Gordon Hayward’s option date 5pm 11/17

The Boston Celtics may have a bit more clarity than they thought after Yahoo’s Keith Smith reports Hayward’s option date will be at 5pm Tuesday, the 17th.

It seems the Boston Celtics will have some clarity on Gordon Hayward’s future with the team.

Yahoo Sports’ Keith Smith shared Monday that, after re-examining contract language regarding the veteran Celtics forward’s option date (the day he needs to decide whether to opt into the final year of his current deal or become a free agent), it appears the Butler product must tender his decision by 5pm ET on Tuesday, the 17th of November.

What this means for Boston specifically is that they will either be able to (though not necessarily planning to) trade him when the draft arrives on Wednesday evening, or he will be a free agent able to sign where he wants.

That may or may not include a sign-and-trade to a team without the cap space to sign him, or could see a team with space (or able to clear it) sign him outright.

A seemingly minor detail, it both provides the Celtics draft-night clarity — but also brings the possibility of another high-profile exit a little closer in time.

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With NBA options dates set for 11/19, Celtics offseason focus sharpens

With option dates for contracts reportedly due in by November 19th, the Boston Celtics’ offseason timeline has become clearer.

The majority of the players in the NBA with option dates on the remainder of their current contracts — team or player — will have to make the choice by November 11th, according to Yahoo Sports’ Keith Smith.

For the Boston Celtics, this is the D-Day of their offseason, barring any friendly deals with the player and team having decided such a move is in everyone’s best interest (more on this shortly).

With one of their best players in veteran forward Gordon Hayward having to tender his choice of whether to remain with the team for one more season, extend, or leave the Butler product will determine much of the other moves his current team makes once he lets the franchise know his plans.

He could, as we alluded, allow for the team to make a move on Monday when the moratorium lifts — but only if the decision is a mutual one.

Big man Enes Kanter is in a similar boat, the pair possessing the team’s player options.

Center Daniel Theis and wing Semi Ojeleye also have decisions to be made about their future with the team by that date, the former almost certain to see his team option picked up, and the latter likely a hostage to the end result of whatever else the team has planned.

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