Boston Celtics: 3 sign-and-trade destinations for Gordon Hayward

Sign-and-trade destination No. 2) Atlanta Hawks

Another recently rumored suitor for the former All-Star is the Atlanta Hawks who, by numerous accounts, is looking to add a savvy veteran this offseason as they are set on making a postseason run in 2020-21.

According to Yahoo Sports writer Chris Hayes, Atlanta is seeking an alternative playmaker to incorporate alongside young star Trae Young. Hayward’s playstyle would be a fantastic plug alongside the All-Star point guard and the rest of their young core consisting of John Collins, Kevin Huerter, Cam Reddish, and Onyeka Okongwu.

Interestingly enough, with the team’s decision to draft Okongwu with the sixth overall selection in last night’s draft, it could make their current starting forward in Collins that much more expendable, as he already was rumored to be a potential trade asset this offseason if the player and franchise find themselves far apart on contract extensions.

Should the Boston Celtics pursue a sign-and-trade with the Hawks, it could prove to be a real win-win for both parties.

Atlanta would receive that sound veteran presence that can help carry the scoring load with Young, as well as get his teammates involved with his impressive distribution skills while Beantown would get a player in Collins who we’ve advocated for the franchise to pursue on multiple occasions — posted 2019-20 averages of 21.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game on 58 percent shooting from the floor and 40 percent shooting from deep.

At 6-9, 235-pounds he could easily wind up being inserted into the C’s lineup as their starting five, giving them a sound floor spacing & rim-protecting big to man the middle.