The Celtics might not be coming away with absolutely nothing for Gordon Hayward, with the team reportedly negotiating with Charlotte for a sign-and-trade that would net the C's a trade exception.
But according to the Indianapolis Star, the return could have been so much more.
In the publication's report the Pacers offered center Myles Turner, a first-round pick and and a rotation player for Hayward. (The 24-year-old Turner is under contract at $18 for the next three years.)
Hayward agreed to a four-year, $120 million deal with Charlotte, while the Celtics bypassed Turner in favor of signing Tristan Thompson to a two-year deal. The C's also locked up guard Jeff Teague.
According to Zach Lowe, both the Pacers and Celtics were prepared to pay Hayward slightly more than $100 million over four years, as well.
Pacers general manager Kevin Pritchard offered some candid comments regarding his team's pursuit of Hayward.
"If you can add a player that materially improves you, you have to take a shot," Pritchard said, via J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star. "It hurt a little more this time (because) the feedback was he wanted to be here. We were probably overplaying in the trade but we were trying to get a special player."
