The Boston Celtics have once again come up in trade rumors at the deadline and this time it's Gordon Hayward as the latest target and this comes as Rajon Rondo, Jeff Green, Avery Bradley, Brandon Bass and Gerald Wallace have all been mentioned at least once for head coach Brad Stevens.
According to CSNNE.com writer A. Sherrod Blakely, the Celtics could look to make a trade with the Utah Jazz for star Gordon Hayward, as he is set to be a restricted free agent after this season and a deal could be an option if the Jazz think they can't sign him. The report says that the Celtics would love to reunite Hayward with his former college coach from Butler in Brad Stevens and the asking price would be a first round pick in any deal going back to the Jazz. Utah allowed both Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap to leave as free agents to make room for the next wave of players and Hayward likely will be a part of that, but at the same time the team could be swayed if Boston was willing to part with a first round pick.
Something seems to be the most common issue about the trade deadline this year is compensation with first round picks. The draft in 2014 is a deep one and teams do not want to give up picks and everyone is looking to try and snag an extra one, leaving basically everyone holding what picks they currently have. The Celtics are in rebuilding mode and do not want to give up first round picks, but making a move like this could have potential value in the long term, as Hayward has established himself as a consistent player in the league.
Danny Ainge could pull off a big move at the deadline but that is not expected to happen and Rajon Rondo has come up more than anyone in trade talks, as the Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings and New York Knicks have all expressed interest in acquiring him. The Celtics have said they are not actively shopping Rondo at this time and if they did, a report from Bulls.com says that the team would want at least two unprotected first round picks in return.
Jeff Green has come up in trade rumors as well this offseason and he could be part of the deal and if the Jazz made a move with the Celtics, the team would likely have to take on some bad contracts like Wallace and Bass. The report says that Rondo likely would not be part of the deal and that is because the Jazz feel that Rondo would not sign an extension to stay in Utah. The Jazz and Hayward could not come to terms on an extension before the season and instead the team signed Derrick Favors to a near-$50 million deal and now that could lead to Hayward getting hit with a heavy offer sheet this summer that the Jazz can't match.
