One NBA writer is proposing that the Indiana Pacers acquire Gordon Hayward from the Charlotte Hornets in a blockbuster deal. Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Pacers and Hornets:
Charlotte Hornets Receive: G/F Buddy Hield, C Daniel Theis
Indiana Pacers Receive: G/F Gordon Hayward, 2024 second-round pick (via Boston Celtics), 2026 second-round pick
Hayward appeared in 50 games for the Hornets last season. He averaged 14.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists. The 33-year-old is making $31.5 million this season. Hayward becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gordon Hayward, Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Hornets Updates
“The Pacers should very much want Hayward, who doesn’t bring Hield’s level of outside prowess but is a capable three-level scorer, rebounder and passer who hails from Indianapolis and played his college ball at Butler,” Swartz wrote in his NBA trade column.
Hayward signed a four-year, $120 million contract with the Hornets in November 2020. The one-time All-Star has career NBA averages of 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists with the Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics and Hornets.
The Pacers could start Tyrese Haliburton, Bruce Brown, Bennedict Mathurin, Hayward and Myles Turner if Indiana’s front office figured out a way to acquire Hayward from Charlotte.
Hield is open to getting traded by the Pacers since he didn’t get an extension from the franchise. The Oklahoma product is in the final year of his contract. He’s making $18.6 million this season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gordon Hayward, Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Hornets Updates
Hayward is averaging 15.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists for the Hornets through four games this season. It will be fascinating to see if the Butler product is traded this season.
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