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.
It might make sense to bring him back, if we don’t give up too much.
Hayward’s history with the Utah Jazz is well documented, and the thought of him returning has some Jazz fans up in arms on X, formerly known as Twitter.
If the Utah Jazz were able to give up Talen Horton-Tucker and Collin Sexton for Gordon Hayward, it might make sense for the Jazz and the Hornets.
Charlotte needs to clear minutes in the frontcourt for Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges, and they also need depth in their backcourt.
Sexton and THT would provide that, with Sexton slotting in as the 6th man behind LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier, while THT could be played at SF and SG. THT could also be waived as his contract is up at the end of the season.
The Jazz need to clear a logjam at the guard positions, which moving THT and Sexton would accomplish. This would open minutes for Keyonte George, Ochai Agbaji, Kris Dunn, and even Josh Christopher from the G-League alongside Clarkson for the time being. Hayward could also provide spot minutes at SG if needed.
The Jazz also need depth in the 2nd unit, and players that complement Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George better. Hayward would provide that with his outside shooting and secondary playmaking.
Hayward’s health has been an issue since his Boston days, he has played in 70+ games only once since leaving the Utah Jazz, so keeping him healthy would be a concern.
Playing behind Lauri Markkanen and John Collins would limit his minutes around 25 a night, which would go a long way towards keeping him healthy.
Would Gordon Hayward really return to the Utah Jazz?
The answer: Yes. He played here for 7 years, and the issues that led to his departure are even farther back, in 2014 during his restricted free agency. This all occurred under different Utah Jazz ownership and management than exists now. The issues he had were over value and money, and those are non-existent in his current situation.
The current Jazz CEO of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge acquired Hayward in Boston in 2017, and would likely be able to overcome any objections that he would have about a return, and how that would be received by Jazz fans.
Hayward’s fit on this team would be much better than the ball-stopping and the turnovers we have seen from Sexton and THT thus far.
One downside to this rumored deal could be that the backup forward minutes are going to Gordon Hayward and not to rookie Taylor Hendricks. If the Jazz want to push for the play-in then that’s going to be a necessary trade-off for this year. If they want to embrace the tank, that’s an entirely different discussion altogether.
Getting Keyonte George in the best position to succeed, AND getting this team out of their early season rut should be the priority in November. Tanking, if warranted, should emerge in the new year at the earliest.
Keeping in mind that having Hayward for the remainder of the 2023-24 season is all we are talking about here. His contract is up this summer. If he gels with the team and the fans embrace him as the prodigal son returned, then Danny Ainge can work on wooing him back on a reduced salary.
If Hayward gets hurt, or just doesn’t pan out with the current Jazz team for whatever reason, both sides have the option to walk away this summer.
It’s the definition of a low-risk, mid-reward move, with possible upside if the Jazz are able to course correct and reach the play-in or playoffs. It’s definitely a move to consider, should Hayward be made available for a trade.