The Charlotte Hornets and Boston Celtics have worked on a Gordon Hayward sign-and-trade that's contingent on finding a third team to take on the $27 million owed to Nic Batum for 20-21.
The Hornets will have to waive and stretch Batum in order to sign Hayward outright. Batum's remaining $27 million would remain on Charlotte's books as $9 million in each of the next three seasons.
The Celtics previously discussed a sign-and-trade involving Hayward with the Indiana Pacers, who didn't have a path to sign him outright.