The Charlotte Hornets are nearing a deal to ship ahead Gordon Hayward to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, in accordance with league sources.
The Hornets are anticipated to amass a package deal centered round Tre Mann and salaries, sources mentioned. Mann, a 2021 first-round decide, has upside as a proficient younger guard.
Hayward leaves Charlotte after agreeing to a four-year, $120 million take care of the Hornets in 2020. The one-time All-Star has handled nagging accidents in every of the previous 5 seasons, courting again to his time in Boston.
Oklahoma Metropolis is closing in on a commerce to amass Gordon Hayward from Charlotte, sources inform @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/kfE42ZaBSJ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2024
The six-foot-seven ahead, who turns 34 in March, has averaged 14.6 factors per sport on 47.3 taking pictures from the sector over the previous two seasons.
The Hornets haven’t made the playoffs since Hayward arrived and have produced only one profitable season since 2016. In 2023-24, Charlotte has slumped to its worst profitable proportion since 2011-12 as All-Star guard Lamelo Ball has handled accidents and the staff’s defensive score has plummeted. That 2011-12 Charlotte staff, then generally known as the Bobcats, completed with the worst profitable proportion in NBA historical past.
What function might Hayward fill on a profitable staff?
For his half, Hayward has been a helpful secondary playmaker on offense this season whereas hardly ever turning the ball over. His taking pictures additionally rebounded after an early dry spell — he had made 50.3 p.c of his area objectives, 39.4 p.c of his 3s and 81 p.c of his free throws within the 14 video games earlier than a latest calf harm.
Groups had some curiosity in buying a well-rounded offensive participant like him who can play on or off the ball, as he matches exceedingly nicely in quite a lot of locations. — Sam Vecenie, NBA senior author
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(Picture: Dylan Buell / Getty Pictures)
