3 Gordon Hayward trades Hornets should explore this offseason

#3 Hornets route Gordon Hayward to the Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers have been rumored to hold interest in Gordon Hayward since his time with the Boston Celtics. Hayward is an Indiana native and would likely welcome the chance to go back home and play in front of a hometown crowd.

The Pacers have been expertly navigating a roster rebuild in recent seasons and look to be adding to their current core in the hopes of giving franchise cornerstone Tyrese Haliburton some reps in the postseason to expedite his development further. Hayward’s expiring deal would also ensure the Pacers retain cap flexibility while also having the option to keep the veteran wing around on a more team-friendly deal moving forward.

In return, the Hornets would receive one of the league’s best catch-and-shoot threats in Buddy Hield, who would instantly transform Charlotte’s perimeter shooting woes. Last season, Hield shot 42.5% from three-point range on 8.5 attempts per game. Hield, like Hayward, is on entering the final year of his contract, allowing the Hornets some flexibility next summer while still giving them an opportunity to retain Hield should he prove to be a genuine difference-maker in the rotation.

Charlotte would also receive Jalen Smith as part of the deal, providing some additional size at the forward and center positions while allowing the Hornets to have a genuine backup for P.J. Washington or a ready-made replacement should Washington play elsewhere next season. 

The cost of acquiring both Hield and Smith while shedding Hayward’s salary would likely mean the Hornets have to attach a couple of second-rounders, which are extremely valuable in the current market and would ensure the Pacers would be willing to enter into negotiations for a talent they’ve been tracking for multiple years.