The Cavaliers are not the only contender for Paul George's services. After George announced that the Lakers were his preferred destination, the idea of George going to the Celtics cooled off, but apparently Boston has emerged as a suitor, according to recent reports. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the Celtics believe they can land Gordon Hayward in free agency and trade for George.
How possible is this?
It's actually quite possible that this could happen. The Celtics have about $15 million in projected cap space should they renounce the contracts of Amir Johnson and Jonas Jerebko.
If the Celtics get rid of Kelly Olynyk by choosing to not re-sign him, and denounce Tyler Zeller's possible $8 million, then the Celtics would have $30 million to spend in free agency.
The key to this is prying Hayward first. Hayward can make up to $180 million if he stays in Utah compared to $133 million in Boston, but the Celtics could sway him with a chance to make the Finals, and his old coach from Butler in Brad Stevens. If Hayward signs, then Boston might sound more appealing to George in the future since he is a free agent next summer. George will come at a price, but Boston has the assets to make a trade now that Jimmy Butler is off the table. Boston has five first round draft picks over the next two drafts.
They also just used the No. 3 overall pick on Jayson Tatum.
What kind of deal would need to be made?
First, the deal for Hayward would have to happen for George to come too. Then, the Celtics can start putting a package together. Looking at what the Bulls got for Butler, it's possible that the Celtics could trade Tatum, a player like Terry Rozier, and at least a first round pick in 2018 and 2019.
Jae Crowder could be thrown into the mix too since he would be a lost duck if Hayward and George were on the roster.
What about filling out the roster?
If this all happened, the Celtics would have a starting lineup of Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, George, Hayward, and Al Horford. The bench would have Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown as contributors from last season.
Olynyk, Johnson, Zeller, Jerebko, and Gerald Green would potentially be gone. It's possible to think that the Celtics could convince players like Green and Johnson to return for smaller salaries. Olynyk could cash in on a big contract somewhere else. The same goes for Zeller as well.
Realistically, the Celtics would have to try and convince some veterans to take a pay cut to try and help the team win a championship. Some of those players that come to mind might be Tony Allen, Kris Humpheries, Vince Carter, or Thabo Sefelosha.