While it will cost them extra assets, the Boston Celtics might be able to get something back for helping facilitate Gordon Hayward getting to the Charlotte Hornets given the team needs to clear at least $7 million above their $19 million in available cap space.
But is there a deal to be had that would make sense?
In truth, anything Boston can get back that isn’t a terribly negative salary to aggregate with other salary will help the team stay flexible for future adjustments, so it’s certainly worth pursuing.
Other pathway is double S&T with Batum and other compensation. Can Batum still be effective in a more lodes team? Would be interesting fit.
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) November 21, 2020
The Athletic’s Jared Weiss notes a couple of options that might work if the Hornets are willing to play ball, including a sign-and-trade former Celtic Terry Rozier (at $18 million next season) back to Boston, or perhaps big man Frank Kaminsky (earning $14 million).
A similar deal focused on Malik Monk and Miles Bridges (plus salary ballast) might also do the trick, as could a double sign-and-trade for wing Nic Batum, according to Weiss.
All of these scenarios would also likely require players or draft assets to entice the Hornets, who could otherwise turn elsewhere to get help clearing space — which they reportedly plan to do by waiving and stretching Batum otherwise, per the Charlotte Observer’s Rick Bonnell.
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