Boston Celtics land Gordon Hayward, what’s next?
The Boston Celtics really had some fireworks going on July fourth, finally landing All Star forward Gordon Hayward.
Years after Boston Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck said there’d be “fireworks”, Danny Ainge and his crew finally delivered. Gordon Hayward announced his decision to join Boston on July fourth. It’s so exciting, I personally can’t wait for the season to start. But a new question now pops up.
What’s next?
The Celtics need to shed salary in the form of Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart or Jae Crowder. My personal belief is Crowder would be the odd man out. However, Bradley is a free agent next year slated to make over 20 million a year.
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Also, Marcus Smart is entering restricted free agency next summer, which could also handcuff the Celtics financially.
No secret Boston needs another big man, and you can look around the league for a cheap one (hint: Sacramento tends to have a good few of them). I’d say one of those guys gets moved for now just for space.
However, I think you could see a move for a cheap big man on a rookie deal. Ante Zizic played his first summer league game for the Celtics on Monday night. While he’s really raw and needs a ton of polish, he’s a strong and rough inside presence. That bodes really well for Boston, because as much as I love Al Horford, he’s not that type of guy.
Marc Gasol is the name that’s being tossed around, and it could work. It’d be really expensive though. Gasol has two years left and then a player option on year three when he’d be 34. Ideally by then Ante Zizic would be getting more of the minutes, and Gasol could possibly be moved.
Next: Kelly Olynyk's Time in Boston is Over
It’s a little early to tell exactly what will happen, but it’s clear the next move is to clear cap space for Hayward and try to get another big.