Imago
Dec 14, 2020; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard forward Gordon Hayward (20) looks to pass to guard Terry Rozier III (3) as he is defended by Toront Raptors forward DeAndreÕ Bembry (95) during the second half at the Spectrum Center. Raptors won 112-109. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Imago
Dec 14, 2020; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard forward Gordon Hayward (20) looks to pass to guard Terry Rozier III (3) as he is defended by Toront Raptors forward DeAndreÕ Bembry (95) during the second half at the Spectrum Center. Raptors won 112-109. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
If a regressing player rejected a $30 million player option, they would be called crazy. That’s probably what Gordon Hayward was called when he rejected his player option with the Boston Celtics. But in one of the most surprising moves of the 2020 Free Agency, Hayward signed a four-year $120 million contract with the Hornets.
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He recently spoke about why he left a championship-contending Celtics to move to the rebuilding Hornets. “I wanted a fresh start. I wanted a place where I could try to maximize who I was as a basketball player,” Hayward said. “Boston has a lot of great players, especially on the wing position: Guys who can do a lot of different things, like myself. I just wanted to kind of maximize what I was.”
The Celtics’ most talented youngsters are Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, who also play the wing position like Hayward. So this move will increase their opportunities and responsibilities as well, now that Hayward has left them.
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Dec 12, 2020; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard forward Gordon Hayward (20) drives in during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at the Spectrum Center. Raptors won 111-100. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Will Hayward have a bigger impact at Hornets than he had with the Celtics?
Hayward was an All-Star with the Jazz before signing a max with the Celtics. But he suffered a fractured tibia, and a dislocated ankle six minutes into his debut. He wasn’t able to play for the whole season, and when he came back, he was half the player he was during his Jazz days.
Last season, Hayward showed glimpses of his All-Star form and averaged 17.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. He also shot an impressive 38% from three. So he joins the Hornets, healthy and in good form.
The Hornets have a young team so Hayward can step up as a leader and guide them. He can be a mentor to young wing players like Miles Bridges and Malik Monk. If he stays healthy, he could make a case for an All-Star berth too. They will be a fun team to watch with LaMelo Ball on the team as well.
From being the 4th option in Boston, Hayward will ascend up the ranks at Charlotte. Time will tell if the Hornets end up regretting giving him such a massive contract.
ALSO READ – Charlotte Hornets Signing Gordon Hayward was the Biggest Shocker This Offseason, Per NBA GMs