Boston Celtics Rumors: Gordon Hayward sparking interest from Cavaliers

A rumor popped up Wednesday that the Cavaliers are interested in Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward.

Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor listed the Boston Celtics as a potential trade partner for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the off-season.

J.R. Smith has a $15.7 million contract for next season, but he’s guaranteed only $3.8 million. That kind of contract is a relic of the old collective bargaining agreement (the rules were changed in 2016).

Trading for Smith and dumping him provides a unique opportunity for a team to clear cap space on the fly.

The rationale, per Fedor, is that if Kyrie Irving leaves, the Celtics can move Gordon Hayward’s burdensome contract and quickly rebuild around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Per Fedor:

"The Cavs would gladly take the polarizing Hayward, who was an All-Star in Utah before his horrific leg injury. He would be the main prize, the exception to Cleveland demanding a draft pick or ascending player on a rookie deal. Hayward is healthy now and will have a full off-season to try to regain his old form, possibly giving the Cavs another piece to accelerate their timeline. Put Hayward, 29, alongside Kevin Love, Collin Sexton and the duo added in Round One and suddenly Cleveland has the look of a playoff team."

This seems crazy, especially while the Celtics are up 3-0 against the Indiana Pacers in the first round (while the Toronto Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers have both looked more fallible in comparison).

Let’s look at the argument on both sides of this, then come down with a verdict.