There is talk of the possibility of Charlotte Hornets Power Forward Gordon Hayward undergoing a buyout. While there are signs of trade possibilities for Gordon, teams are looking at him as an addition to the buyout market. He is on a $31.5 million contract with an expiring date. Hayward signed a four-year, $120 million deal with the Boston Celtics via a sign-and-trade in November 2020, which sent him to the Hornets. Health has been the biggest concern for Hayward. In his first three seasons with the Hornets, he was unable to appear in more than 50 games.
This season with the Hornets, Hayward has played in 25 of their 36 games, averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists. The Hornets are currently in 13th place in the Eastern Conference and may wish to move Hayward if they finish near the bottom.
In the NBA, a buyout occurs when a franchise and a player mutually agree to part ways. After a buyout, the player becomes exempt and can be a free agent. The buyout market is most active during the February trade deadline, as contenders look for one last chance to strengthen their roster. With Gordon’s salary exceeding the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, the teams above the tax apron—the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns—face restrictions in signing him. This rule was implemented with the new collective bargaining agreement.
Here are the 5 teams that could Sign Gordon Hayward:
LA Lakers
The Lakers are currently in 11th place in the Western Conference with 19 wins and 21 losses. The team is dealing with some health concerns, but they could still take a risk on Hayward, who has the potential to provide them with reliable scoring.
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are playing extremely well this season, having won 23 games. They currently sit in 4th place in the Eastern Conference and are strong contenders in the playoff race. Adding a veteran to the team who has playoff experience could help them perform even better in the postseason and Hayward’s scoring abilities are definitely going to benefit them.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently sitting in 5th place in the Eastern Conference, having won 22 games. The team is performing well but still has a weakness in their wing scoring, so if they sign Hayward, he could be the answer to these concerns.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are looking strong this year and are currently sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference. Having another veteran on the team will only strengthen their bench strength. Gordon could be a viable wing option that can be utilized quickly.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently sitting at the top in the Western Conference with 27 wins and just 11 losses. According to a report, they are looking to add a scoring wing to their team. If they sign Hayward, he could be a valuable addition to the championship contender team.
Also Read: NBA 2023-24: Current Top 5 Candidates For 6MOTY Award
