All-Star small forward Gordon Hayward is willing to take a pay cut to help the Boston Celtics create salary cap room for his huge contract. According to reports, Hayward is expected to sign a maximum four-year deal worth $128 million. However, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders said Hayward is willing to take a pay cut of $300,000 less than the maximum deal if the Celtics cannot find other means to fit the deal into the salary cap.
The contract is not signed yet so the Celtics can implement some last-minute changes to its value. It will be easy for Hayward to take a small pay cut because he left more than $40 million when he chose the Celtics over the Utah Jazz, who can offer him a five-year contract worth $172 million.
Recently, the Celtics traded backup point guard Avery Bradley and a 2019 second-round pick to the Detroit Pistons for Marcus Morris to create additional $3.5 million cap room for next season.
The Celtics also plan to renounce the rights to Jonas Jerebko, James Young and Gerald Green and waive Jordan Mickey, they will have a room of $29,444,533, around $300,000 less than Hayward’s maximum salary. The Celtics tried to work out a sign-and-trade with the Jazz, involving Hayward but according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the negotiation has been "dormant" since Thursday. Based on the initial plan, the Jazz will sign Hayward before trading him to the Celtics for Jae Crowder.
Kevin Durant signed a two-year deal worth $53 million with the Golden State Warriors, $9 million below the maximum amount to help the team keep their other key players.
Through Durant’s generosity, the Warriors kept their key reserves, including Andre Iguodala, David West and Shaun Livingston.
Celtics will not trade Crowder
Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe reported that the Celtics are not planning to trade Crowder, believing that he could be a great asset for the team due to his defense and outside shooting.
Also, Crowder has a team friendly five-year, $35 million contract that he signed before the 2015-16 season, which will keep him with the team through the 2019-20 season.
Crowder could play power forward
Crowder and Hayward both play the small forward position but many believe that the former will be moved by coach Brad Stevens to power forward to create mismatches. Earlier, Crowder criticized Boston fans for cheering on Hayward during a home game against the Jazz, saying he felt disrespected because they play the same position.