Hayward’s age and injury history means his value is only getting lower
Hayward is 32 now, by the time next season is over he’ll be 33.
Having him as a veteran presence these past two seasons was helpful in developing the team’s young core, but now some of those guys are veterans. PJ Washington will enter year four, Miles Bridges will play his fifth season and Terry Rozier will be in year eight. This team has the experience of veterans without Hayward.
His injury history has kept him off the court for a large portion of his time in Charlotte. In the past three seasons, Hayward has played over 50 games once. That was his last season in Boston.
Hayward’s leg is keeping him out of the team’s play-in game for the second consecutive season. Being one of the few guys on the team with playoff experience, Hayward was supposed to be a leader for the team as they try to claw into the eighth seed. Instead, he’ll be a cheerleader motivating the team from the bench, not on the court.
With Hayward getting older and his body getting more damaged every year, it’s time the Hornets explore other options.