Gordon Hayward – Are the Utah Jazz heading for a reunion?
By Dan Lower
Rumors have Gordon Hayward on the trade block in Charlotte. Should the Utah Jazz explore bringing him back?
The Charlotte Hornets, like the Utah Jazz, are struggling to start the NBA season, and might already be looking to make changes. One of the players rumored to be on the block is none other than former Jazzman Gordon Hayward.
As previously discussed by our own Chad Porto, a Hayward trade is something that could be done without giving up a lot of assets.
Currently, Gordon Hayward is the starting small forward on the Charlotte Hornets, averaging 17.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists while shooting 47% from the field and 44% from long distance, in just under 33 minutes a game.
The Hornets would like young rookie forward Brandon Miller to have a bigger role, who plays the same position as Hayward. Miller has been averaging 13.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 31.1 minutes but is only getting 11 shots a night, 5th on the team.
The pending return of Miles Bridges from a 10 game suspension will create a logjam at forward, with PJ Washington also needing minutes there.
With the future of the team vested in Miller’s development, it seems like Hayward will be the odd man out sooner rather than later, and wouldn’t make sense playing major minutes at the expense of the Charlotte Hornets youth movement.