Swarm and Sting
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Now is the time the Hornets should trade Gordon Hayward

By Jacob Phillips

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 12: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on January 12, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 12: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on January 12, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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Feb 7, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard forward Gordon Hayward (20) lays injured after a hard fall during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard forward Gordon Hayward (20) lays injured after a hard fall during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

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