SALT LAKE CITY -- The Celtics are looking at a multitude of trade possibilities to clear salary cap space to sign their prized free-agent commitment, Gordon Hayward.
But the most realistic option at this point appears to be a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz involving Jae Crowder.
RELATED
Boston has been working feverishly to create enough cap room to fit in the $29.7 million needed for this upcoming season as part of the four-year, $127.8 million contract Hayward has agreed to accept.
The Celtics have already renounced their rights to Kelly Olynyk, who had a $7.7 million cap hold. But there are still plenty of lineup gymnastics on the Celtics' part needed to be done in order to ensure their signing of Hayward.
As for Crowder, who turns 27 today, being traded to Utah makes a lot of sense for both his development as a player and for the Jazz, who would acquire a solid NBA player as their 27-year-old All-Star (Hayward) heads East.
Crowder emerged as an above-average defender this past season on the perimeter while showing noticeable progress as a scorer. But in acquiring Hayward, the Celtics add a multi-positional wing player who has elite scoring talent, evident by him being named an All-Star last season while averaging career highs scoring (21.9) and rebounding (5.4).
Winding up with the Jazz may have even more meaning for Crowder whose father, Corey Crowder, played one season (1991-92) in Utah.