The Indiana Pacers remain interested in signing veteran forward Gordon Hayward, according to the New York Times’ Marc Stein.
Without the requisite cap space, a sign-and-trade would be needed to do so, and the Boston Celtics would be the most logical — but not only — avenue for doing so.
The Pacers could also find a way to convince one of the few remaining teams in the league with cap space large enough to fit a Hayward signing to absorb the salary they’d need to complete the transaction, but given the probably cause, the Celtics will likely remain their best option.
Indiana continues to explore sign-and-trade pathways to try acquire Gordon Hayward from Boston, league sources say
The Knicks, as covered here yesterday, remain a suitor for Hayward with their salary-cap space
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 20, 2020
At present, the New York Knicks remain interested in Hayward as well, and could sign the Indiana native outright as one of those cap space teams.
the Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets have also been tied to the Butler product in recent days — and a mystery suitor a la Al Horford could always materialize as a sign-and-trade option as well.
But chatter regarding the Hornets and Hawks seems to have died down, at least for now.
We may well soon get clarity however, with the start of 2020-21 free agency due to begin at 6pm ET this Friday, November 20th.
