Uncategorized

Report: Boston Celtics in talks to trade Jae Crowder to Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz are awaiting the official word, but according to Gordon Hayward himself, he is leaving the only NBA team he has known for the Boston Celtics. While that reported deal is not yet 100 percent official, the Jazz are trying to piece together their next moves and stay among the suddenly much stronger elite class in the Western Conference.

For the Celtics to sign Hayward to a max deal, though, they have to part with some players to pull off that transaction. Per Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald, the Celtics are looking into trading Jae Crowder to the Jazz:

The Celtics’ complex negotiations with the Utah Jazz, in an attempt to clear salary cap space and bring aboard Gordon Hayward, appears to be near completion. It could result in a sign-and-trade package that would send Celtics forward Jae Crowder to the Jazz.

Though the transaction is expected to involve more than a simple Hayward-for-Crowder swap – the Celtics want more for their valuable small forward than the services of a free agent they are going to get anyway – details of further assets were unclear.

A league source said this morning that Hayward, who has agreed to terms with the Celtics on a four-year, $128 million free agent contract, is in the process of traveling to Boston for an official announcement.

The Celtics also appear to be getting ready for an announcement. Team president Danny Ainge and head coach Brad Stevens both flew back to Boston this morning from summer league here.

The Celtics continue to look for ways to clear space for Hayward, and also to find a rebounding big man. ESPN reported that the team has talked with New York about a possible Marcus Smart/Willie Hernangomez deal.

Latest