With the recent NBA rumors that free agent Gordon Hayward was choosing Boston, it quickly became a situation where the Celtics needed to find the money to pay him on that deal. On Friday, the Boston Celtics made the trade necessary to free up enough cap space. Guard Avery Bradley was traded to the Detroit Pistons, with the Pistons sending back Marcus Morris in return. Here are the latest details on the NBA trade that took place on Friday and how it benefits the two teams.

What's the deal?

As ESPN reported earlier today, the deal was confirmed by the Boston Celtics on Friday.

The trade involved their longtime guard Avery Bradley and a 2019 second-round pick being dealt to the Detroit Pistons. In exchange, the Celtics receive Marcus Morris. Reportedly, the Los Angeles Lakers and L.A. Clippers were also highly interested in acquiring Bradley over the past 24 hours, but ultimately the deal was made with Detroit, keeping Bradley in the Eastern Conference.

It's noted that Bradley was in the final year of his player contract with the Celtics, and he wasn't sure if he'd be part of the team's long-term plan financially. In the foreseeable future, that plan includes their new acquisition Gordon Hayward, who left the Utah Jazz for the Celtics after becoming an NBA free agent this summer.

How it helps the teams

As mentioned, the Boston Celtics were in need of some salary cap space in order to sign Hayward to his hefty new deal. That deal is worth $128 million over four years. The Avery Bradley trade frees up that space allowing Boston to officially sign the deal. They bring over big man Marcus Morris which will help since the team recently lost Kelly Olynyk in free agency to the Miami Heat.

Morris averaged 14 points and 4.6 rebounds per game this past season with the Pistons.

Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons get a veteran guard with strong defensive skills who could possibly re-sign after this coming season since the team has a better chance of offering him the type of salary he'd want going forward. For the most recent season, Bradley averaged 16.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.

He also provided the team a boost in the playoffs, helping them overcome the odds to defeat a heavily favored Cleveland Cavaliers team in one game of the Eastern Conference Finals after star Isaiah Thomas went out with an injury. Detroit is hoping for that sort of experience to help them with their own potential playoff push in the coming season.
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