Important for people to realize this. Charlotte can sign Hayward by just stretching Batum. Is that ideal for them? No. But it’s not unpalatable, especially if they don’t plan on trying to operate under the cap next summer.
For Boston, they risk losing Hayward for nothing. That includes no trade exception.
Spurs are in the driver’s seat if they want to move Aldridge here, as the trade would make things better for two teams. His contract and fit work perfectly for Boston. And the Spurs can eat Batum without taking on cap for next year (WAY better than taking on a Wiggins). And heck, if Batum gets resurrected to any degree, it’s a bonus.
I think the best trade looks something like this:
- Boston gets Aldridge and either Mills/Gay; immediately improve on last year’s team
- Charlotte gets Hayward without having to stretch Batum, and also gets Theis to make dollars work (unfortunately Boston doesn’t have a lot of mid-seven figure contracts)
- Spurs get Batum and a TPE (I think)
It weakens the Spurs significantly this year, so not sure they do it. Maybe they’d need to get Theis or another big in deal to replace Aldridge, or could use part of MLE on a big because no longer bumping into the tax.
Question is what is the appropriate compensation for the Spurs. A lottery-protected first doesn’t cut it. You need to start any conversation with an unprotected first.