The Boston Celtics made one of the biggest moves of the NBA free agency period when they signed former Utah Jazz superstar Gordon Hayward. However, the Celtics had to free up salary Cap Space in order to sign him and they just pulled off a big trade in order to clear up the money. ESPN broke the news that the Celtics traded guard Avery Bradley and a 2018 second-round NBA Draft pick to the Detroit Pistons for forward Marcus Morris.
Avery Bradley and the Pistons
The Boston Celtics signed Gordon Hayward to a huge four-year, $128 million deal in hopes he can help push them past the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2017-18 NBA season and into the NBA Finals after falling short this past season.
To clear the salary cap space, they shopped Avery Bradley to the Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers.
The Detroit Pistons came out on top with their offer of Marcus Morris. The Boston Celtics knew that Avery Bradley was thinking about his future as he entered the last season of his contract and didn't want to lose him without getting something in return. While the Celtics couldn't pay him what he wanted, the Pistons believe they can talk him into a new deal.
Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy loves two-way guards and Avery Bradley fits the mold of the type of player he covets. In 2016-17, Bradley started 55 games for the Pistons and averaged 16.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists a game.
Detroit cut ties with restricted free agent Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
The 2017-18 Boston Celtics
Avery Bradley was the starting shooting guard for the Boston Celtics as they raced to the top of the Eastern Conference last season. The move is a tough one as Isaiah Thomas has openly stated that Bradley is one of his best friends in the NBA and he is low losing a great teammate.
However, the money that Bradley would demand at his skill set is not something Boston can afford with Gordon Hayward joining the team.
The question now becomes, who will replace Avery Bradley in the Boston Celtics' lineup. Marcus Morris will likely step in to take over the role as the starting power forward for the Celtics next season.
As for the shooting guard position, Jaylen Brown will likely get the first shot at replacing Bradley and Marcus Smart might be someone who can play shooting guard as well as backup Isaiah Thomas at point guard.
The other Boston Celtics starters would, of course, be Isaiah Thomas at point guard, Gordon Hayward at small forward, and Al Horford at center.
