Report: Pacers continue to explore sign-and-trade deal for Hayward

The Indiana Pacers continue to explore a sign-and-trade deal for Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward, sources told Marc Stein of The New York Times.

The 30-year-old has also reportedly attracted interest from the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks ahead of free agency.

Hayward apparently declined his $34.2-million player option for 2020-21 on Thursday and is now an unrestricted free agent.

The Knicks and Hawks arguably pose the biggest threats to the Celtics and Pacers as each club has at least $40 million in cap space available this offseason, allowing them to sign Hayward outright.

New York recently declined its $15.7-million team option on forward Bobby Portis in a series of moves that created additional financial flexibility.

Hayward is coming off his best season since joining the Celtics on a four-year, $128-million contract in 2017. He averaged 17.5 points, 6.7 boards, and 4.1 assists across 52 appearances during the 2019-20 campaign.