The Philadelphia 76ers should strongly consider making a run at Gordon Hayward.
The Philadelphia 76ers are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons guarantee contention, but the roster around them is poorly built and overpaid. With no cap space, the only path to significant change is the trade market, which is problematic when teams want no part of your high-profile trade chips.
Of course, Daryl Morey should probe the market for Al Horford and Tobias Harris trades. Morey said the Sixers’ championship roster probably won’t look like it does now. That said, Morey is also content to wait until the right trade comes along. We might not get a blockbuster between now and the Dec. 22 start of the season.
If Morey does decide to push for a trade before the season, several star-level players are available. Chris Paul, Jrue Holiday, Victor Oladipo, Buddy Hield — all of them could get moved before the calendar flips to December. The Sixers should look into all four.
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Another name, however, has recently popped onto the radar: Gordon Hayward.
According to Bill Simmons of The Ringer, Hayward wants out of Boston, but he’s unlikely to opt out of his contract unless a max-level contract is on the table. Newsflash: no team will sign Hayward to $30+ million per season. In then stands to reason that Boston will explore the trade market.
While, again, the Sixers lack appetizing trade bait, the Celtics are a particularly interesting trade partner. If any team has reason to believe Al Horford would look better in their uniform, it’s Boston. If the Sixers can sweeten the pot enough, could the Celtics — who were desperately undermanned at center in the postseason — have interest in a second go-around with Horford?
The answer — as is the case with most blockbuster hypotheticals — is probably not. Possible, but unlikely. Hayward is an expiring contract, whereas Horford has at least two more full seasons on his deal. Hayward is also four years younger than Horford, who did nothing to inspire confidence in his ability to age gracefully last season.
A deal would likely center around Horford and Matisse Thybulle, who would bolster a thin Celtics bench. The Sixers might also have to part with draft capital, whether it be the 21st pick on Nov. 18 or a protected future first-round pick. A gaggle of second-round picks is possible, too.
It’s tricky business, because shedding Thybulle and draft picks would further diminish Philadelphia’s own bench. The Sixers’ depth is less than favorable, and without cap space, the draft is the only way to sustainably bulk up the second unit.
On top of that, Hayward is on an expiring contract, and there’s no guarantee he re-signs in 2021 — especially if other teams are willing to outspend Morey, who will have his hands tied by Tobias Harris, Ben Simmons, and Joel Embiid.
At the end of the day, Hayward is a sizable upgrade in both fit and talent over Horford. He hasn’t performed up to expectations since his gruesome leg injury in 2017, but last season, Hayward averaged 17.5 points and 6.7 rebounds on 50.0 percent shooting from the field. He would serve just fine as a fourth option in the Sixers’ starting lineup.
It comes down to price. If the Sixers can negotiate Boston down to Horford, Thybulle, and some second-round picks, then Morey should pull the trigger. Getting off Horford’s contract is arguably more valuable than whatever Hayward provides, which is substantial.
Of course, when push comes to shove, it’s doubtful Philadelphia and Boston would even consider this trade — even if both sides view it as beneficial. The Sixers don’t want to help the Celtics, and the Celtics don’t want to help the Sixers. Mutually helpful blockbuster trades between division rivals — fresh off a first-round playoff duel — are not common.