One NBA writer is proposing that the Atlanta Hawks trade for Charlotte Hornets small forward Gordon Hayward in a blockbuster trade. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade:
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Pascal Siakam, Gordon Hayward and a 2027 first-round pick from Dallas
Atlanta Hawks Lose: De’Andre Hunter, Vit Krejci, Clint Capela, Bogdan Bogdanović, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2030 first-round pick swap
Hayward appeared in 50 games for the Hornets last season. He averaged 14.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 47.5% from the field, 32.5% from beyond the arc and 81.1% from the free-throw line. The 33-year-old will make $31.5 million next season and become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2024.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gordon Hayward, Atlanta Hawks & Charlotte Hornets Updates
“Given his age, injury history and recent lack of production, his $31.5 million salary in 2022-23 will almost certainly be an overpay,” Bailey wrote. “If he can stay on the floor, though, Hayward’s size and playmaking would make him a slightly bigger version of Bogdan Bogdanović. That’s good for a team that will need to keep covering for the defensive shortcomings of Trae Young.”
Hayward signed a four-year, $120 million contract with the Hornets in November 2020. The one-time NBA All-Star has career averages of 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 784 NBA games with the Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics and Hornets.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gordon Hayward, Atlanta Hawks & Charlotte Hornets Updates
The Hawks could potentially start Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, Hayward, Pascal Siakam and Onyeka Okongwu if this trade proposal Bailey came up with happens. Atlanta has been trying to trade for Siakam all summer, league sources told NBA Analysis Network. It will be interesting to see if the Hawks are able to land Siakam and Hayward next to Young and Murray.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
