By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
With the NBA offseason beginning in earnest next week with next week’s draft, rumors about the Celtics’ plans are really starting to heat up. And to some extent, those rumors are beginning to border on reality.
According to Indianapolis sportswriter Evan Massey, the Celtics and Pacers have “discussed the framework” of a trade that would send Gordon Hayward home to Indiana, with Boston receiving center Myles Turner in return. A later report from Massey stated that the Celtics would likely include the No. 14 overall pick in the deal.
The 30-year-old Hayward has been a popular name to come up in trade rumors throughout the fall, as he reportedly wants out of Boston, and has a player option for 2020-21 remaining on his deal.
In Turner, the Celtics would be adding a player who fits most of their obvious needs. The No. 11 overall pick from the 2015 draft is an interior presence on both ends of the floor, Turner averaged 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds a game, to go along with 2.2 blocks, in 55 games for the Pacers. He can also step outside the paint, too, as the 6-foot-11 Turner is a career 35.4 percent shooter from three-point range.
Turner represents just one potential trade the Celtics could make in coming days. They have also been linked to Pelicans’ point guard Jrue Holiday, and rumored to have tried to package all three of their first-round picks (the C’s have the No. 14, No. 26, and No. 30 picks in the first round) to move up in the draft.
Click here for 98.5 The Sports Hub’s complete coverage of the Celtics.
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at Alexander.Barth@bbgi.com.
