Hoops

Gordon Hayward signs $128m/4y deal with Boston

Ainge realities that he can't get the pieces now to beat LBJ and co so he is keeping picks to draft and develop those guys to be ready for when LeBron leaves the league. Then the Celtics will have a shot in the East and perhaps a championship.

The Celtics have to lose a few pieces to accomodate Haywards max, and that includes at least one rotation guy like Smart, Crowder or Bradley. Its smart to see if you can instead trade a bunch for another top quality player. Don't know if Memphis will be into it after maxing out Conley last year they don't seem to have much of a plan

Word is they're after Marc Gasol now.

This is a great get for the Celtics. In 4 years or so (or whenever LeBron leaves the league) they'll be well placed to be on top of the East. Until then they'll be really competitive for 2nd spot in their conference.

With Gordon Hayward now agreeing to a four-year $127M max contract, Celtics management now has a series of transactions to do in order to create cap space. The Celtics would have to pull the qualifying offer on Kelly Olynyk, renounce free agents Jonas Jerebko, James Young, Gerald Green and waive the contracts of Jordan Mickey and Demetrius Jackson (or trade). The Celtics would be left with $27.6M in room and likely need to move the contract of Jae Crowder, Terry Rozier or Marcus Smart. Trading Rozier would have the Celtics short $1M of a max salary a lot.

I'm happy pretty happy with this. Hayward's not the final piece, but he can be a key player on a championship contender.

Lovebroker, I agree that the Celtics probably need one more really good big man, but there isn't one available right now. But they have a good shot at drafting one next year and Anthony Davis could shake free in a couple of years. In the shorter term, I'd like to see them trade for Favors if Utah don't want to pay him!

In the meantime, having Crowder, Brown and Tatum gives them three versatile wings that can switch and cover most positions on D. That's critical in the current NBA.

Tatum looked pretty good in his first Summer League game yesterday as well. He showed quick hands to force several steals and rebounded well early, before showing off his scoring ability with 11 points in the final quarter including the go-ahead game-winner in the last 10 secs.

LOL... I would want to murder the Warriors the following season not join them.

"Where is his pride?"

On the shelf next to his Finals MVP trophy.

choking*

Betrayal etc. claims by fans are lame, agreed.

What perterbs me is Durant chocking to Warriors spectacularly then the next thing he does is join THAT team. Where is his pride?

Free agents are free to go wherever they want, they have no moral obligation to stay with their old team. None.

I find all these notions of betrayal (LBJ to Heat, KD to GSW) quite silly.

As a Celtics fan, I am not really that happy with the acquisition. Our glaring deficiency is at PF.

At SF they already have Crowder (who is serviceable). Last year used #3 to draft Jaylen Brown. This year used another #3 to get Tatum. Now Hayward.

I know they wanted Paul George firstly but I can't help but think those draft pick were wasted as you could have now got Hayward / Crowder at SF.

Hayward betrayal? wtf, man that is harsh. The heat should still be on Durant, that fked the whole leauge in terms of competitiveness.

Of course but it does increase their opportunities.

"increases Sobey's or Creek's chances of making the team"

The Jazz are probably looking for someone good to replace Hayward, so no.

#betrayward

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2017/07/04/nba-fans-and-players-react-to-gordon-hayward-signing-with-celtics/

Even though Hayward is getting killed for this one good thing is it probably increases Sobey's or Creek's chances of making the team.

Isn't Ingles' deal signed?

Personally, I still think LeBron could beat this Celtics team

Yeah he definitely is

Isn't Ingles' deal signed?

I wonder if the Jazz will now pull that contract offer to Ingles as they'll now be effectively rebuilding without Hayward & Hill?

Bit of a dog act by Hayward telling the Jazz he wanted to play with Rubio so they trade for him and now the possibility Ingles loses millions.

The lure of Brad Stevens was too powerful. Not surprised.

Anyone know when the invites come out