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.