NBA Trade Rumors: Hayward Passing Up Player Option; Knicks Ready To Swoop In

Gordon Hayward has opted to gamble in NBA free agency, passing up the $34 million player option in his contract with the Boston Celtics.

Multiple teams could use the 30-year-old player, and one club that is ready to take a chance on the All-Star forward is the New York Knicks.

Hayward will be walking away from big money with hopes of getting something similar or better in free agency, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported citing sources.

But aside from that, the ninth overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft may be looking for security. Considering it was a not-so-memorable stint with the Celtics that saw him riddled with injuries, the word going around is that he would have been dealt out anyway.

By opting out of his deal with the Celtics, Hayward will have the liberty to negotiate with any team and lay out his terms.

According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, the Knicks are one of the teams ready to sit down and talk to him.

With the Knicks, Hayward could get something similar although the decision to pass up on the $34 million deal was meant to secure a multi-year deal.

The Knicks do have cap space to accommodate Hayward, but the length of tenure is seen as another reason that New York could give him.

Also, Hayward would fit perfectly given that New York is looking for superstars to lead the franchise.

New York is expected to look into acquiring more stars. Another player linked to the Knicks is Russell Westbrook who has sought a trade from the Houston Rockets.

The Knicks would have been a plausible landing spot, but his $132 million-worth contract is something that has got clubs thinking. Looking ahead, anything can still happen and there are other interesting players to consider in the free-agent market this offseason.

Hayward’s options are not limited to the Knicks. He has also been linked to possible moves to the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks.

For the Celtics, the exit of Hayward gives them a bit of flexibility. Boston can use the non-taxpayer mid-level exception or bi-annual exception to take in another player instead of the mid-level exception.

However, the type of player they can get may not be as good as Hayward, NBC Sports reported.

A better picture of where the 6-foot-7 player will suit up next should be clearer in the coming days.