The moratorium on trades is expected to be lifted soon, and Gordon Hayward is reportedly looking to get out of Boston. The Detroit Pistons’ Blake Griffin is not looking to leave – as far as we know. But, would it be in the team’s best interest to trade him for Hayward?
The Detroit Pistons are looking at all options to improve their team and set themselves up for a prosperous future. Gordon Hayward is a sweet-shooting 6-foot-9 forward who signed a monster contract to leave the Utah Jazz for the Boston Celtics three years ago.
With the emergence of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown as top-flight small forwards, Hayward could end up sort of a third wheel if he returns to the Celtics.
Reportedly, Hayward might be looking for a way out of Boston, and go to a place where his contributions will prove more valuable.
Hayward may want to leave, but he certainly will not want a pay cut to do so. He has a player option in his current contract with Boston that will pay him $34,167,000 for the 2020-21 season.
With almost every team strapped for salary cap space, coming off a shortened season, there is probably little chance Hayward would get that amount of money if he opted out to become a free agent.
The more likely scenario, is that Hayward opts in for the season, then asks Boston to find him a new landing spot. Of course, Celtics GM Danny Ainge is not going to go ‘Sure, no problem Gordon’ and flip him for a couple of second-rounders.
The Celtics will want some value to get rid of a player who averaged 17.5 points a game last season.
With the league moratorium on transactions expected to be lifted before the November 18th draft, the future of Hayward has become more pressing.
Besides getting value, Boston also would need a partner that can match Hayward’s salary.
The Pistons’ Blake Griffin might be a perfect trade piece for the Pistons if they want to get Hayward. Salary-wise, it is a fit, as Griffin is scheduled to make $36,595,996 this year.
Griffin is coming off an injury-plagued season in which he played just 18 games. However, just the year before, he was spectacular, averaging a career-high 24.5 points, so there is no pattern of a decline in skills.
Griffin is a strong 6-9 255-pound power forward with a good, outside shooting touch. The Celtics have plenty of wings and guards but, center and power forward? Not so much.
As was shown in the Eastern Conference finals, when Miami center Bam Adebayo tore them up inside, they could use some help in the post.
Here are the Pros and Cons of a Griffin for Hayward trade, from the Detroit perspective.