Indiana Pacers sign-and-trade options for Gordon Hayward
By Luke Parrish
What are the best sign-and-trade options for the Indiana Pacers?
If the Indiana Pacers want to acquire Gordon Hayward, they will likely need to work out a trade with the Celtics in order to fit him under their salary cap. The rumor is that he could sign for less than his original $34 million price tag but the Pacers would still need to make room.
Myles Turner and Jeremy Lamb for Gordon Hayward
The Celtics would be smart to target Myles Turner in any deal for Hayward. Boston has plenty of perimeter weapons with youth on the roster but adding a defensive stud would take them to the next level. The Pacers could swap Turner, who hasn’t reached his full potential in Indiana, for an aging veteran who has been very good throughout his entire career.
Jeremy Lamb is coming off an injury but would be a perfect cap filler for both sides. The Pacers have a handful of players who can fill into his role from last season with Edmond Sumner, Aaron Holiday, and Cassius Stanley providing excitement off the bench. Boston gets another offensive weapon to come off their own bench.
Matching salaries is the most difficult part of this sign-and-trade but I think it can work out for both sides. If Hayward wants to be in Indiana, the Pacers have some leverage and have enough pieces to make it work. Another option includes a current Pacer who may NOT want to be in the Circle City.