This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Utah Jazz still are hoping for a sign-and-trade agreement that will help facilitate Gordon Hayward's departure to the Boston Celtics while netting the Jazz Boston forward Jae Crowder.
But it doesn't look promising.
The Celtics, who need to clear cap space to offer a max deal to Hayward, traded Avery Bradley to the Detroit Pistons for Marcus Morris on Friday morning. A few moments after the trade, the Boston Globe reported the Celtics intend to keep Crowder, who is valuable for his defense, shooting and versatility.
That means options for the Jazz are thinning. Small forwards James Johnson signed with the Miami Heat and Rudy Gay with the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Otto Porter both are tied up with offer sheets from the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets.
If the Jazz can't find a passable replacement for Hayward on the unrestricted free agent market, they may have to explore the trade market.
— Tony Jones