Why Celtics, Warriors or Suns are not allowed to acquire Gordon Hayward via buyout

As wholesome as a Gordon Hayward-Boston Celtics reunion sounds, a rule in the NBA’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) precludes it from happening.

According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, several teams are monitoring the possibility of Hayward being bought out of his expiring $31.5M contract by the Charlotte Hornets. If Hayward were to hit the buyout market, several contenders could view him as the missing piece to enhance their title chances, especially teams that are unable to make any major moves ahead of the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline.

At least seven of these title contenders – the Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns – can be ruled out of the race for Hayward’s services. As per the new CBA, since Hayward’s salary exceeds the Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, teams above the tax apron are effectively disqualified from signing him. In previous years, a player's pre-buyout salary did not prove to be a hindrance for a contender to pick them up after they cleared waivers. Case in point – the Clippers signed Russell Westbrook last year after he agreed to a $47M buyout with the Utah Jazz.

Several other new CBA rules are expected to deter contending teams in the coming years, especially the franchises that have three max-level salaries on their payroll.

Possible destinations for Hayward

So, which playoff-bound teams could realistically pursue Hayward? The Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves have all been earmarked as possible suitors. There's also the possibility of Hayward reuniting with the red-hot Utah Jazz, a team that's currently on a five-game winning streak. 

Despite being ruled out of the race for Hayward, the Celtics are reportedly aggressively seeking "bench help" ahead of the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline. The odds-on favorites to win the 2024 NBA Championship, the Celtics, currently have a very limited bench, with only the aging Al Horford, Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser receiving meaningful minutes.