Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets’ Gordon Hayward: The good and bad–his season recap

By W.B. Whitted

Oct 12, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward (20) and Philadelphia 76ers forward P.J. Tucker (17) in action during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward (20) and Philadelphia 76ers forward P.J. Tucker (17) in action during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Gordon Hayward’s 2022-2023 season was indicative of a lot of the Charlotte Hornets’ season. It contained brief periods of success, and some hope for the future, but was largely disappointing. Hayward just completed his 12th NBA season. He is both the most-tenured player on the roster and (now that Mason Plumlee has been traded), the oldest player. Normally a team’s oldest player isn’t a starter. But Hayward was needed for more than sage advice to dole out to a team that has only three players with more than five years of NBA experience.

The Good

Hayward started and played in 50 games this season. Both were personal bests as a part of the Charlotte Hornets franchise. What’s even more impressive, Hayward heads into the offseason healthy for the first time since he suited up in the teal. A healthy off-season would mean a lot for the 33-year-old. He’s heading into the last season of his contract that will pay him $31 million next season. And at this point in his career, he’s likely got one large contract remaining.