NBA rumors have flown all over the NBA landscape ever since the season concluded. With free agency set to start July 1, anything is possible.
Gordon Hayward taking meetings
The #Stayward campaign in Utah commenced just as NBA rumors started to swirl. Billboards of the slogan to keep Utah’s swingman have popped up around the city.
But, with free agency upon us, meetings are being set up. Hayward’s schedule of team’s he’ll meet with is reportedly the Miami Heat, Jazz, then Boston Celtics.
Hayward knows what he’ll get in Utah’s pitch: Grow the core, let Rudy Gobert eat and if you come back, maybe George Hill returning is possible.
Still, it’s weird they’re in the middle, rather than the first or last impression.
Celtics trying to land Paul George and Hayward
This one has marinated a couple days after being reported, and still doesn’t make sense. Apparently, the Celtics have a plan in place to land both Hayward and PG13 this offseason.
The desire to have approximately 20 wings on the roster is questionable. There’s incumbents Jaylen Brown and Jae Crowder, draftee Jayson Tatum, and now George + Hayward, too?
Obviously, someone would have to go, yet Danny Ainge seems like he doesn’t want to stop collecting forwards.
Maybe it’s just a scare tactic for the league; but if Boston gets both Hayward/George, the league should be very scared.
Andre Iguodala’s future murky
Once, reports were about Iguodala just fielding offers from other teams. But now, it’s turned to a serious threat of him leaving over luxury tax implications.
The tax isn’t friendly, the Blazers know well, and letting Iguodala leave is a causality of it. The Wolves have been linked from the start, and he could lead the defensive charge with newly-acquired guard Jimmy Butler.
The forward is 33 years old though, and you have to wonder how much he’s really left. No matter where he lands, he’ll make his presence felt one way or another.
Pacers asking for too much
The Pacers simply won’t free Paul George. With his intent to leave in 2018 free agency, you’d figure Indiana would be more willing to deal their unloyal star. But, they’re not giving in to his demands just yet.
Boston, who is foaming at the mouth to get George, has said the asking price is too much to deal.
President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard seems destined to make sure his team comes out on top if a trade ever does go down.
Suns talking to Blake Griffin, Paul Millsap
The Phoenix Suns don’t look like they’re waiting around for their young core to develop. They have reportedly been linked to both Blake Griffin and Paul Millsap.
Griffin will meet with Phoenix when free agency opens, where the Suns can offer a 4-year, $130 million contract to the former Clippers star.
Next: An in-depth look at Caleb Swanigan's game
Stay tuned to RCP as more rumors fly, and some free agents end up signing in new places.