One NBA writer believes the Charlotte Hornets will trade small forward Gordon Hayward during the 2023-24 season. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report thinks a contender “might be willing to rent Hayward’s services for a late first or prospect languishing on that team’s bench.”
“Expiring contracts can still hold some value for teams looking to move unwanted long-term salary, and 2023-24 is the final season of Gordon Hayward’s deal,” Bailey wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “Unless Hayward stays healthy, plays well and helps the Charlotte Hornets smash preseason expectations, trading him for the last few months of the contract could be very enticing. Of course, Charlotte would certainly want something beyond another team’s onerous salary, so it might be able to coax a second-rounder out of the trade too.
“The other version of this involves Hayward checking two of the three boxes above by staying healthy and playing well for a Hornets team that is still somewhere between bad and mediocre. In that situation, a contender might be willing to rent Hayward’s services for a late first or prospect languishing on that team’s bench.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gordon Hayward, Charlotte Hornets Updates
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, Charlotte Hornets Updates
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.
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