Does this move make sense for the Phoenix Suns? While Hayward will be set to be paid again very soon, the Jazz know they have a team to build around and they should take the next step next season. But the Celtics have resisted the Sixers’ pitch as the franchise is eyeing a veteran wing to upgrade its roster by trading the No. 3 pick. Hayward is still just 26-years-old and has a team-friendly deal at just over $16 million for the 2016-17 National Basketball Association season. As it stands, they have nine players under contract for next season, and could look to bring back their unrestricted free agents Evan Turner, Jonas Jerebko and Amir Johnson. This could mean that he quickly becomes available if the Jazz open the 2016-17 National Basketball Association season with any struggles. The Sixers already own the top pick in the NBA Draft and are likely to select Ben Simmons. Providence guard Kris Dunn is believed by many to be the third-best prospect in the draft, but Boston already has a glut of guards who can not shoot particularly well, so Dunn figures to be more of the same. The Celtics had previously been connected with Okafor’s name during the season. Overtures have been made to the Chicago Bulls about Jimmy Butler, a big difference-maker who could immediately improve the Celtics, but it appears the Bulls have not been enthralled by the offers being made. But to this point in the process, no one has expressed an interest in making that deal with Boston. A worst-case scenario isn’t that bad for the team, as team president Danny Ainge would still be able to add a talented player through the draft if no trade scenarios pan out.
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National Basketball Association teams can hold a max of 15 players, so the Celtics aren’t signing eight rookies.
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The high Draft pick gives Boston a rare opportunity to become a playoff team.
