Gordon Hayward completed his free-agent meetings on Monday, hanging out with the Jazz contingent in San Diego for a few hours. He is expected to make an announcement on his future on Tuesday. What’s striking is the high stakes this decision has taken on not only for the Jazz, but for the Celtics as well.
Gordon Stayward or Gor-done Awayward?
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A small-market team facing the loss of an All-Star is always going be ticklish. But the Celtics have put all of their eggs in this specific basket, and there really isn’t a good back-up plan. Rudy Gay is not a back-up plan, though he might be a somewhat suitable stand-in player. What Hayward represents to the Celtics — a justification for not getting a Paul George deal done, a legitimate star player choosing Boston’s movement, perhaps the piece that makes the C’s truly competitive with Cleveland — is massive.
Danny Ainge has taken some heat after the P.G. ordeal, and he could use a high-profile victory — not for his own security (which is unchallenged), but to switch the narrative up. Utah, of course, would be crushed to lose its second-best player after finally breaking through this season. No pressure, Gordon!
(Miami, meanwhile, would hugely benefit from Hayward joining up but is on a good path either way.)
Here’s to hoping Hayward finds a particularly creative way of announcing his decision via an Overwatch play of the match or something.
Kevin Durant left $7 million on the table when he agreed to a new two-year deal with the Warriors. Here’s why. Here are 12 players who will make more than Durant next season.
The Clippers’ Danilo Gallinari chase has gotten complicated: It looks like it will turn into a sign-and-trade that sends Jamal Crawford, Diamond Stone, and a first-round pick to the Hawks. Another way of looking at this: L.A. is spending a first and a fringe prospect to swap out Crawford’s $17 million guaranteed remaining for the right to pay Gallinari a rumored $65 million over three years. I’m ... not sure that’s an excellent use of a first-round pick, to be honest. But L.A. doesn’t have many options given its cap situation.
Markelle Fultz and Jayson Tatum faced off in their Summer League debuts. They were both pretty good! Tatum hit a game-winner, ever.
Darren Collison returned to the Pacers on a partially guaranteed two-year, $20 million deal, which is not bad for either party.
How the Hawks dismantled a 60-win team completely in two years.
Four trade ideas to get Carmelo Anthony to the Cavaliers or Rockets.
Speaking of the Cavaliers: Chauncey Billups officially declined Dan Gilbert’s offer to run the front office. Billups prefers to work for ESPN and play in the BIG3. I’m sure LeBron James thinks this is fine.
Good assessment of the Otto Porter situation from Dan Devine.
An argument that running the Knicks is still one of the more attractive jobs in the NBA.
Danny Ainge is a victim of his own ambition and success.
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