Report: Jazz, Celtics engage on Hayward sign-and-trade

The Utah Jazz and the Boston Celtics discussed a sign-and-trade deal involving Gordon Hayward on Wednesday, league sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne.

The two teams have discussed the possibility of Boston sending forward Jae Crowder to Utah.

Hayward committed to leaving Utah and joining the Celtics as an unrestricted free agent Tuesday, but would need to agree to ink a contract with the Jazz and then be traded to Boston to facilitate the sign-and-trade. The Celtics need to clear cap space in order to pay Hayward the max, and reports earlier Wednesday indicated they're shopping the likes of Crowder, Marcus Smart, and Avery Bradley to do so.

Hayward would need to be amenable to any such maneuver. Jazz radio broadcaster David Locke said on NBA TV on Wednesday night that the forward only wants to sign a four-year deal with an opt-out after three seasons, rather than the five-year max that only the Jazz can offer him.

It would behoove the Celtics to attempt to clear the glut of small forwards they currently have, making Crowder a logical trade candidate. Along with Hayward, Boston still has Crowder, Jaylen Brown, and rookies Jayson Tatum and Semi Ojeleye at the position.