One NBA writer is proposing that the Phoenix Suns trade for Charlotte Hornets small forward Gordon Hayward in a blockbuster deal. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Hornets and Suns:
The Deal: Charlotte Hornets trade Gordon Hayward, Nick Richards and a 2026 first-round pick to Phoenix Suns for Deandre Ayton
“For Phoenix, this not only moves a player who may not want to be there (especially when he sees all the shots Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal are about to take), but it also beefs up a rotation currently populated almost entirely by minimum-contract players,” Bailey wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “Gordon Hayward is on an expiring contract, so there isn’t a huge commitment there. And with his experience and outside shooting ability, he should be happy to be a gap-filler and floor-spacer for the superstars.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gordon Hayward, Charlotte Hornets, Phoenix Suns 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.
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, Charlotte Hornets, Phoenix Suns Updates
The Suns could start Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Hayward, Kevin Durant and Nick Richards if Phoenix’s front office decided to trade Deandre Ayton to Charlotte for Hayward and Richards.
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