Gordon Hayward’s current contract with the Charlotte Hornets is entering its final year. Throughout his tenure in Charlotte, Hayward has failed to scale the heights we saw from him during his time with the Utah Jazz. Instead, the veteran forward has navigated multiple injury-induced absences.
Hayward’s inability to remain healthy hurt his ability to live up to his heft price tag, while it limited the viability of regular-season success for the Hornets. As such, it makes sense to believe that Mitch Kupchak and the front office could look to trade Hayward before the February trade deadline so they can ensure they get some form of return on the former All-Star’s exit.
Otherwise, Hayward will leave for free in the summer of 2024, and the Hornets will have nothing to show for the $120 million they invested into the Butler product.
Here are five players the Hornets could replace Hayward within the coming months.
#1 The Hornets replace Gordon Hayward with Zach LaVine
The Chicago Bulls are on the verge of hitting the reset button. With Lonzo Ball ruled out for the upcoming season and DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic both showing signs of aging, there doesn’t appear to be much opportunity for Chicago’s current roster to compete. As such, the Hornets could look to take advantage of the situation.
The 2024 free agency class is expected to be full of high-level talent. If the Bulls would prefer to tank the current season for a high draft pick before adding fresh talent in the summer, they will need to shed a significant amount of salary. That’s where the Hornets come into play.
By swapping Zach LaVine for Gordon Hayward, the Bulls would be clearing over $30 million in committed money this summer while also obtaining multiple draft assets that can be used in subsequent trades. Hayward would hit free agency this summer, and a massive chunk of money would come off Chicago’s books.
If the Bulls can find similar packages for DeRozan and Vucevic, they could be ready to take another swing at building a contender in the summer.
For Charlotte, LaVine would form an exciting backcourt alongside LaMelo Ball, and Hayward’s departure would allow rookie wing Brandon Miller to slot in as the starting small forward. It’s a long shot, as Chicago will certainly have better options available, but the opportunity to begin a tear-down by working toward opening cap space in the summer could be an enticing option.
#2 The Hornets replace Gordon Hayward with Brandon Ingram
Similarly to Zach LaVine, Brandon Ingram would be a longshot for the Hornets. A potential swap involving Gordon Hayward and Ingram works financially, but finding a way to incentivize the New Orleans Pelicans would be tough.
Zion Williamson is expected to return in the coming season, which would allow Ingram to slot back into his role as a tertiary star on their team. However, Ingram has proven capable of being the second guy within an offense and may not want to take a back seat to C.J. McCollum and Zion Williamson.
If Ingram cuts an unhappy figure with what could be a lessened role, and the Pelicans have an interest in shedding some salary in the summer, then Hayward could make sense for them. Of course, Willie Green could also be enticed by Hayward’s ability to scale his production in line with his team’s needs.
Hayward would also help solve the Pelicans’ current ball-handling problems and could operate as the team’s point forward, distributing for his teammates without taking shots away from them. Whereas Ingram would instantly be one of Charlotte’s primary options, allowing him to continue his offensive development alongside one of the best young point guards in the NBA.
#3 The Hornets replace Gordon Hayward with Evan Fournier
Evan Fournier’s time with the New York Knicks is widely expected to end before the new season begins. Isaiah Hartenstein’s first season in the Big Apple had its good and bad moments. However, both players would slide into significant roles with the Charlotte Hornets.
Tom Thibodeau values versatile wing players, especially if they can play solid defense and create for their teammates. As such, the Knicks could view Hayward as a potential upgrade at the wing position without having to provide a long-term commitment. After all, Leon Rose and William Wesley have been all about retaining cap flexibility in case a star player becomes available via trade.
Fournier would provide the Hornets with legitimate movement shooting and an offensive outlet off the dribble. The veteran wings last two stops, with the Boston Celtics and Knicks, haven’t gone to plan, yet if Steve Clifford can help Fournier rediscover the production he showed while with the Orlando Magic, he could help elevate the Hornets rotation for the upcoming season.
Hartenstein would also provide a legitimate upgrade at the center position, especially with his passing and screening ability.
#4 The Hornets replace Gordon Hayward with Clint Capela
Every elite point guard needs a big man they can develop a two-man game with. LaMelo Ball’s fast-paced brand of basketball could fit perfectly with the rim-running antics of Clint Capela. The veteran big man is used to playing with a ball-dominant guard from his time with Trae Young and would easily slot straight into the Hornets’ starting five.
Furthermore, Capela would give Charlotte a genuine rim-protector to funnel ball-handlers toward, which would perfectly fit Clifford’s defensive system. The addition of Saddiq Bey would give Charlotte a genuine catch-and-shoot threat off the bench to help elevate an offense that struggled to make much of an impact last season.
Hayward’s fit with the Hawks is a little less clear. However, a veteran wing who can handle the rock, score across all three levels, and defend the perimeter reliably would fit seamlessly into the style that Quin Snyder is trying to implement. The Hawks may also view Hayward as a potential missing piece during the postseason due to his scoring ability both off the dribble and off the catch.
#5 The Hornets replace Gordon Hayward with Chris Paul
Chris Paul is yet to suit up for the Golden State Warriors, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be open to trading him if the deal improved their chances of winning the 2024 NBA Championship. Paul’s presence within the Warriors rotation is already leading to questions surrounding his potential fit and role within the rotation.
Hayward’s fit with the Warriors is much more seamless, as he would slide directly into the starting five or easily become the team’s sixth man. However, Paul’s role with the Hornets is certainly questionable. Still, James Pierce of NBA Analysis Network – who originally floated this trade idea – believes the deal could make sense for Charlotte.
"“He’s [Hayward] not going to fetch the Hornets a huge haul,” Piercey wrote. “Hayward is on an expiring contract – any team acquiring him is only taking a flier. With that in mind, this is a good return. We’ve seen the value of second-round picks in recent years. If you’re willing to move enough of them, you can land a solid rotation player. Meanwhile, Paul is an appealing backup for LaMelo Ball. He can provide some mentorship and share the floor with Ball when need be, as well. All told, this is a good deal for the Hornets – unless things change, of course.”"
Paul’s veteran leadership, elite playmaking and scoring ability, and reputation for improving the young talent around him would ensure thathe’s seen as a viable replacement for Hayward by the Hornets front office. It does help that the final year on Paul’s contract is non-guaranteed, too, so Charlotte could cut the veteran guard loose next summer if things don’t work out.