The Charlotte Hornets are a team that is on the rise. They may have finished 10th in the Eastern Conference this season, but they took some major strides as a team. Despite finishing in the same spot in the standings two NBA seasons in a row, they had a 10-win increase this season.

They are on the right path and have a superstar in the making in LaMelo Ball leading the way. Their core around him is strong, as Miles Bridges broke out this season and P.J. Washington is a great rotation player as well. Solid veterans are present in Terry Rozier, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Mason Plumlee.

But, if there was one what-if question that applied to this team, it would center around Gordon Hayward. Hayward signed a four-year, $120 million deal as a free agent in 2020 as the Hornets hoped he would help legitimize the team. 

They were right, as Hayward has been productive when on the court. The on-the-court part has been an issue, unfortunately. Hayward has been unable to stay healthy, playing in only 93 games during his tenure with the Hornets.

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This offseason is an important one for Charlotte as they need to build the roster up around Ball and the young players. Hayward is one person they could look to move, opening up a little bit of cap space in the process as extensions begin kicking in for their players.

One team that could be a landing spot for Gordon Hayward is the Indiana Pacers. They have flirted with acquiring him in recent years but never pulled the trigger. Could this offseason be the time that they finally do? Here are two trade packages that would send Heyward back home to the Pacers.