Boston Celtics: 2 Gordon Hayward trades to Cleveland

The Drummond trade

The first deal here is the only on today’s list to include Andre Drummond heading to Beantown, who really isn’t worth the return on his own for Gordon Hayward. Add Collin Sexton, however, and we got a conversation. The Cs get the deal done by adding a first-round pick for good measure.

Why the Boston Celtics do it

Getting a starting center and a sixth man in Drummond and Sexton, respectively, bolsters the Cs more than having a compromised bench forward would. With Marcus Smart rising to the occasion as a starter in the postseason, he may have written Hayward’s fate this offseason.

Adding the final pick of the 2020 NBA Draft should be enough of a sweetener to entice Cleveland to part with one of their ill-fitting lottery backcourt mates.

Why the Cleveland Cavaliers do it

Gordon Hayward hasn’t been a top option on a team since 2016-17, but in a deal to the Cleveland Cavaliers, he would assume the lead dog role again…especially if Sexton is involved in the deal.

His presence would immediately open things up for the remaining young guns like Darius Garland and Kevin Porter Jr. as well as Kevin Love, the potential last remaining big man in “the Land” of the Love-Drummond-Tristan Thompson trio.