Perhaps this appears to be a desperate trade for the Los Angeles Lakers. But, given the Lakers’ 3-8 record since winning the In-Season Tournament on December 7, perhaps it’s time to get desperate. Perhaps it’s time to call old friend Mitch Kupchak in Charlotte and inquire about the availability of great forward Gordon Hayward.
That’s the opinion of one NBA executive, who sees Hayward as a quick cure for the Lakers’ ailing offense, which has a rating of 114.6 since the IST, ranking 23rd in the league. The squad has recently fielded a defensively focused roster, but it hasn’t helped. The defense rating is 119.1, putting it in 21st place.
Hayward could provide the Lakers with a versatile offensive scoring option who can also play several positions and serve as a secondary ballhandler. Mostly, as a player who has battled injuries and is in the fourth year of a four-year, $120 million contract, he may be cheap.
“I don’t think he is a guy you have to give up a first-rounder for,” one NBA exec told Heavy Sports. “And that’s what they need. Someone who’s gonna help but not mortgage the future. It’s a desperate move but, so what? Look at their record.”
Gordon Hayward Dealing With Calf Injury
Gordon Hayward is a 6-foot-7 forward with varied skills who can handle the ball, attack the basket, and shoot. He’s averaging 14.5 points per game, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists (the second-most in his career), while shooting 46.8% from the field and 36.1% from three. All of those figures should pique the Lakers’ curiosity.
He is, however, 33 years old and has struggled to stay healthy since breaking his ankle in his first game with the Boston Celtics in 2017. Hayward has appeared in 290 games out of 574 since 2017, missing over half of those games. If he stays healthy, he’ll be a fantastic match for the Lakers. But that is still a major “if.”
Hayward is currently suffering from a calf ailment and cannot be placed on the market until that is resolved. He will be evaluated again next week.
If he is granted permission, he will be a trade market player to watch. If the Hornets put him there, that is.
“The big question is what Charlotte is gonna do with him,” the executive was quoted as saying. “They should be selling off pieces left and right, but they’re not the type of organization that does that.” Maybe with a new owner, but the marching orders have always been no fire sales and to always attempt to make the playoffs.”
Lakers Could Make Trade Work
If the Hornets pursue a Gordon Hayward trade, the Lakers should not pay a high price. They can equal Hayward’s salary by starting with D’Angelo Russell and adding Gabe Vincent or a package of lower-paying players, including first-round pick Jalen Hood-Schifino. This would allow the Hornets to bring in a young player as part of the transaction.
Alternatively, the Lakers may keep JHS and add one or two second-round picks. One of Hayward’s charms is his ability to arrive without making too many commitments. If he gets well.
“There is no question that the guy can help a team, the skill level he has at his size is special and when you talk about teams that want to play positionless basketball, which is everyone, pretty much, these days, he is the guy you want for that,” the exec said.
“Because he can act like a power forward for you and he can act like a point guard for you. He’s cant defend those positions that well, that is a struggle that is not getting better with age for him. But he is a glue guy and like, a Mr. Fix It, he can slip into whatever role you need.”
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