Draft day buzz, blockbuster trades, and superstar signings in free agency – the NBA offseason contains many exciting moments that shape the following season. Hidden behind the influx of fresh talent in June and seismic roster shifts atop the league in July, rarely does anyone mention the weeks between the NBA Summer League and the start of preseason play. These are the weeks dominated by mock trade proposals and offseason workout videos that may fool you into believing Ben Simmons has developed an outside shot.
Speaking of mock trades, Charlotte Hornets’ forward Gordon Hayward has been the focal point of numerous trade proposals over the last few years. Since arriving in the Queen City in 2020, the former all-star has posted respectable numbers, averaging 16.6 PPG, nearly 5 RPG, and 4 APG. However, Hayward has yet to play more than 50 games in a single season for the Hornets, and his numbers have been steadily declining over the past two campaigns.
Even though his best days are behind him, the 13-year veteran has showcased an ability to produce at a high level in short stretches and could be a valuable pickup for a contending team looking to get over the hump. In the final year of a 4-year/$120 million-dollar contract signed in November 2020, Hayward embodies all the characteristics of an NBA trade candidate. Here are three franchises that we could see Hayward suiting up for at some point this season.
1. Gordon Hayward joins LeBron and the Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are being discussed as a potential landing spot for a former All-Star…stop me if you’ve heard this song before. Don’t worry; I’m not here to grasp at straws to find Kyrie Irving a path to Hollywood. Unlike some outlandish trade proposals in recent years, Gordon Hayward to LA makes sense – here’s why.
Much of the basketball world was surprised to see the Lakers re-sign point guard D’Angelo Russell after his horrendous Western Conference finals performance. Russell inked a two-year contract worth $36 million in guaranteed money during free agency this past summer. However, this isn’t your typical free agent contract, and the details of the agreement began trickling out in the following days. Russell waived his implied no-trade clause when he signed the new deal, meaning he is almost certain to be flaunted as a trade chip to the rest of the league.
LeBron and the Lakers will undoubtedly be active in the trade market around the deadline, maybe sooner if their season gets off to a rocky start. If Los Angeles strikes out on big-name stars such as Kyrie, Gordon Hayward won’t be too far down their list of targets. A combination of Russell’s contract and Rui Hachimura’s $15.7 million salary perfectly match Hayward’s expiring deal. If the Lakers throw in young talent such as Max Christie or a couple of second-round picks as a sweetener, Charlotte will be enticed to negotiate.
Hayward would provide an instant boost to the Lakers’ second unit. With Austin Reaves now a mainstay in the starting lineup, the bench lacks playmaking ability and leadership. Hayward would likely thrive in an initiator role off the bench while closing certain games alongside James, Reaves, and Anthony Davis. Don’t be surprised if this happens – we’ve consistently seen LeBron-led franchises part ways with young talent in favor of building a win-now roster, and Hayward fits the bill.
Acquiring Gordon Hayward may not be the big splash Los Angeles dreams of at the deadline. Still, his combination of veteran leadership and on-court production could be the perfect addition to a team with lofty aspirations and an extremely short timeline.
2. Gordon Hayward brings a veteran presence to Cleveland
CLEEEEVELAND…THIS [mock trade] IS FOR YOU! It’s been seven years since LeBron delivered on his promise and made Cleveland a city of champions. The team has been completely revamped since then, but the new iteration of the Cavaliers roster contains an abundance of young talent and upside.
Cleveland skipped ahead in the rebuild process by trading for superstar Donovan Mitchell last September, and they showed plenty of improvement throughout the year. However, their promising regular season was quickly forgotten during a first-round throttling at the hands of the New York Knicks.
There were various reasons for their downfall, but two of the most prominent were a lack of veteran leadership and finding a trustworthy wing to round out their starting five. Gordon Hayward fills both voids, and his expiring contract wouldn’t be an extensive commitment for the franchise.
Hayward averaged over four assists a season ago and could alleviate some of the playmaking responsibility when Mitchell or Darius Garland are on the bench. He also possesses the size and shooting ability to play stretches at power forward, which will be critical if Evan Mobley can’t develop a respectable outside shot.
Cleveland could accelerate their timeline even further by acquiring a proven veteran in Gordon Hayward to bolster their roster. At this stage of his career, Hayward is much better suited in a complementary role with a playoff team such as the Cavaliers and could be the missing piece they need to make a deep playoff run.
3. Gordon Hayward teams up with Luka and Kyrie in Dallas
Dallas is officially on the clock with Luka Doncic. Their blockbuster deal to acquire Kyrie Irving reeked of desperation, but it was a necessary risk. That’s the thing about risks, though – they don’t always pan out. The Mavericks dropped nine of their final eleven games before missing the play-in tournament completely. If they want Luka to stick around long-term, changes are sure to be on the horizon.
Gordon Hayward would not be the answer to all of the Mavericks’ problems. The defensive side of the ball was a disaster for Dallas last season, and Hayward is by no means a lockdown defender. However, Tim Hardaway Jr. is due almost $18 million this season and could be on his way out.
If Dallas believes that Josh Green can hold his own guarding the other team’s best perimeter player, he should slide into the starting lineup at some point. Couple that with the fact that they signed Grant Williams to a four-year deal in free agency, and the need for Hardaway dwindles significantly. Hayward would slot in as the primary scoring option off the bench while also having the ability to stretch the floor and play alongside Luka and Kyrie.
The Mavs would likely have to part ways with second-year guard Jaden Hardy for this deal to work. Hardy showed flashes of being a real contributor towards the tail end of last season, and his inclusion could sway the Hornets to take on the salaries of Hardaway and Richaun Holmes. If the fit isn’t successful, the Mavericks are, at the very least, clearing cap space for the 2024-25 offseason.
Parting ways with Hardy could be a mistake, but the Mavericks are no strangers to risks. The clock on Luka’s time in Dallas continues to tick, and another postseason flub could spell disaster. The Mavericks desperately need to return to the top of the league, and a Gordon Hayward acquisition has the potential to push them in the right direction – at least in the short term.