When they traded combo guard Terry Rozier to the Miami Heat, the Charlotte Hornets effectively started the trade deadline process. Many anticipated an even larger fire sale to start in Charlotte, with players like Miles Bridges, Gordon Hayward, and Nick Richards probably leaving to net the team more assets for the future, given how badly the Hornets have played this season.
Though the Hornets’ decision to trade Bridges and Richards away isn’t exactly certain, Hayward’s future looks to be drawing to an end. Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports that the 33-year-old forward’s “time with the Hornets is up,” with an insider speculating that he may be “gone.
It’s unclear at this point how Gordon Hayward will leave the Hornets. Given that Hayward’s contract is about to expire, Charlotte may find it easier to trade him away. However, at $31.5 million, it seems unlikely that any team would want to part with any valuable assets for the veteran, especially since he spends the majority of his time recovering.
Boone continued, saying that “Hayward would be a buyout candidate, giving another team the opportunity to bring him at a much lower salary number” “should nothing materialize” on the trade front. The Hornets would then be able to develop their young players, and Hayward would be able to join a rival team without having to force an
However, it remains uncertain how much more Gordon Hayward has left in the tank at this time. He hasn’t participated in more than 52 games during the regular season since the 2019–20 campaign, and he has missed the last 22 games for the Hornets. Yes, any competing team that can make buyout additions could consider taking a chance on someone who is averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists at a reduced cost (during a buyout).
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