The Knicks have been aggressive in their pursuit of Celtics forward Gordon Hayward this week, sources tell Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter link).
Hayward’s decision on his $34.2MM player option for 2020/21 is due this afternoon, and Stein suggests there’s a “growing belief” around the league that the veteran could turn down that option. If he does, New York may emerge as his most logical landing spot, given that the team is projected to have upwards of $40MM in cap room after its series of roster moves today.
However, Ian Begley of SNY.tv throws some cold water on the idea of Hayward making the move to New York. According to Begley (via Twitter), some people in the Knicks’ front office have had interest in acquiring Hayward, but it’s considered less likely now that the team has used its picks in the 2020 draft.
The Hawks, another team that will have significant cap room this weekend, have also been identified as a potential suitor for Hayward. We should find out soon whether he has decided to opt into the final year of his contract with the Celtics or if he’ll hit the open market tomorrow.
Knicks are still bad
You look to sign top 5 young free agents
You don’t want anyone over 30
He’s 30…..you’re gonna pass on him over 220 days on earth?
They wanted Westbrick. The only reason Hayward makes sense is they don’t have to trade for him… They would definitely have to trade for Russ, maybe they would have, heck maybe they still can…
Hawks should trade Clint Capela for Gordan Hayward, a future first round pick and a second round pick.
Celtics would save a bunch of salary and tax Bill money and Capela would be a great fit. With his defence and rebounding.
1. Walker. Smart. Pritchard
2. Brown. Langford
3. Tatum. Nesmith
4. Theis. GWilliams
5. Capela. RWilliams
Then with Hayward gone and possibly some cap space they could build abit of bench depth to go with all the young talent.
I agree with the trade. But not the depth chart.
Walker Prichard
Smart Langford
Brown Nesmith
Tatum Grant williams
Capela Robert Williams
The whole idea of not trying to retain Hayward or get another starting wing would be to insert smart into the starting lineup in order to compensate for walker’s inabilities on defense
Personally, I would love to see this and then see the team sign kris dunn in free agency to come off the bench and play d next to Langford Prichard and Nesmith in the second unit while adding a younger vet leadership presence
I would agree for playoffs or finals but realistically Kemba Brown Tatum and Capela would do enough with the starters and they would need a leader off the bench for all the young guys they have. Smart has been great off the bench for them for so long so I can’t see them changing that.
Have Smart help Pritchard Langford and Nesmith all good young guards/wings.
And with Enes Kanter having opted in you can have him off the bench also helping Grant and Robert Williams
Capela is twice as good as Hayward but makes half the money!
ATL says a hard no, unless you throw JB in it maybe?
But then BOS says no!
Apparently Hawks are high on Hayward and with recently drafting Okungwu, I’d say why not if you also get back a first round pick or something
Why …. just sign Gallinari. Cheaper and you don’t need a trade. This guy is a Sillyman source.
How much forwards they need! They need a guard if anything.
Not sure why anyone would want an old injury prone player but then again knicks are the knicks
surprisingly a few teams seem legit interested in gordo tho
Hawks, like Knicks, have cap space to sign GH outright if he opts out. If he opts in, who would want him and his bad contract without Boston giving them compensation? Unless the destination team is unloading its own bad contracts in the process.
He would probably get 80 million for four years on the open market. If he opts in and gets hurt again that’s gone.
True. But I still don’t think anyone wants to rent him for 1 year at that price. Because if he doesn’t get hurt, then he’ll just walk. I also think a team is nuts to go 4 years. Maybe 3 at 20 mm per year.
Opt out and sign with GSW possible?
Opt out and sign with GSW possible?
35 Million for one year that’s a lot of money to pass up. I still don’t him want him on the Knicks. If the Knicks are looking to spend big sign VanVleet but even that is debatable
Breaking news: Knicks see opportunity where a player with recognizable name from All star games past is now available. In a development nobody saw coming, they have stated their interest through back channels in New York press.