Three months ago, Indiana Pacers forward Paul George expressed his desire to play with Gordon Hayward of the Utah Jazz in the near future. George’s dream might turn into a reality with the Boston Celtics if all things will fall into place. Before the 2017 Draft, talks between the Celtics and the Pacers stalled when the latter insisted on taking the No. 3 pick and the 2018 first-round pick for George, which Boston refused.
After the Celtics took Jayson Tatum with the No. 3 overall pick Thursday, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported negotiations have restarted and both sides are “engaged in serious talks” about George, who is considered as a rental since he has only one year remaining on his deal with the Pacers.
However, Adam Kaufman of CBS Sports Radio said that if the trade pushes through, George may sign a three-year extension with the Celtics once they acquire Gordon Hayward from the free-agent market.
Hayward can provide immediate impact for Celtics
A ninth overall pick by the Jazz in the 2010 NBA Draft, the 27-year-old Hayward averaged 15.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists in his seven years with Utah. In 73 games last season, he averaged 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists and shot 39.8 percent from beyond the arc.
Hayward is entering the final year of the four-year, $63 million deal that he signed with the Jazz in 2014. He stands to earn $16.7 million next season but he can leave that on the table and opt out of the deal and become a free agent.
Hayward can get more money if he stays with the Jazz. Luke Adams of HoopsRumor earlier reported that Hayward can ask the Jazz for a maximum five-year deal worth $177.5 million. Hayward missed out on a five-year, $207-million contract after he was not selected to one of the three All-NBA teams.
An NBA insider is questioning if Hayward can stand the pressure of winning in Boston or he will be comfortable playing in Utah.
However, coach Brad Stevens can help Hayward, his former player at Butler, adjust to the scenery and fan base in Boston.
Celtics can overtake Cavaliers if they get Hayward
Bill Reiter of CBS Sports said the Celtics can end the Cleveland Cavaliers’ reign in the Eastern Conference if they acquire Hayward from the free-agent market.
Reiter said Hayward can provide an instant impact in the coming season, giving the Celtics another talent that can bring them to the NBA Finals. The Celtics added another scorer in Tatum, who averaged 16.8 points in 29 games, making 40 percent of attempts from beyond the arc in his only season at Duke.
