One of the surprise signings of the offseason last fall, Gordon Hayward was exactly what the Hornets expected when they signed him to a massive contract…when he was on the court.
As has become a recurring theme in Hayward’s career, injuries kept him off the floor. And this season, those injuries came at a critical time, ruling him out for the stretch run as the Hornets collapsed and missed out on the playoffs.
When healthy, he looked like a perfect fit with LaMelo Ball and the Hornets offense. How much Charlotte can count on him being healthy remains the biggest question.
Stat of the Season
88%.
While Hayward’s possession profile did not change much in Charlotte versus in Boston, he did improve in catch-and-shoot scenarios. This season, Hayward ranked in the 88th percentile in catch-and-shoots.
Notable Exit Interview Quote
On recapping his season
“I think I had a solid year. I don’t think, especially towards the end, I wasn’t playing at my best. But I think that, like I’ve said multiple times here, it was fun the way we played and I was able to get into positions where I like to be at with the ball and making plays for others, making plays for myself. I think I’m going to have a great offseason and be better than what I was this year next year.”
Overview
When Hayward came to Charlotte, it completed a franchise-altering week in which the team drafted Ball and signed Hayward in a span of only a couple of days. Despite bringing in two ball-dominant players, the team gelled from the start and Hayward excelled.
Through the opening 26 games, Hayward averaged 22.3 points, shot 42.2% from the field and set a career-high in points against the future Eastern Conference finalists Hawks. At that point in the year, he had a legitimate All-Star case and the team was in the thick of the playoff race.
Hayward then missed three of the next 18 games, saw his averages drop across the board and lost the rhythm he played with at the start of the season. And then, midway through the game against the Pacers on April 2, Hayward sprained his foot and never played another game again this season.
His presence was greatly missed and the team sputtered without him. So, while his season was great, there was an air of something missing.
Outlook
Hayward’s name may be thrown around in trade rumors this offseason with the idea of a big blockbuster trade, but looking at the end of the season shows his importance to the team. He was a steadying force and a release valve when things went haywire offensively. If the Hornets are going to trade him, it’s going to be for a player that would provide similar stability. Those types of players aren’t often available.
Therefore, his future will almost certainly be in Charlotte, where he and Ball meshed. In their brief time in the starting lineup together, the two had a plus-2.4 net rating in that span. The Hornets will continue building around those two and their decisions this offseason will be made with those players in mind.
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