I didn’t like the contract when they gave it out. In fact, I’m still not in love with it, but the highest ceiling for Charlotte this season includes Gordon Hayward wearing the purple and teal.
He showed that last night with a 41 point performance against the Spurs helping Charlotte win 131-115. He was a perfect 6-6 from the FT line and shot 5-6 from deep.
Hayward hasn’t shot anything less than 50 percent from the field in the last 4 games and his season average isn’t far from that number either, but his stats always seem to sneak up on you. His play isn’t nearly as flamboyant as everyone else on the team.
Miles might be the best dunker in the game, Melo the best passer, even Kelly Oubre has a cool nickname like Tsunami Papi. It takes 40 point performances for Hayward to get any attention… at least good attention.
Before last night and even this recent stretch of games, Hayward was the subject of criticism from Charlotte Hornets because of his lack of aggression.
Once the report on Indiana’s potential fire sale came out, many of the fans were begging to deal him through the open door to finally land Myles Turner.
I get it. Hayward’s making 30 million a year for a guy who’s on the wrong side of 30, on a team with a lot of young talent.
But that makes it all with while to keep him on the roster?
Think about a core of LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, and… Myles Turner for example. That’s an impressive starting 5.
Now take Gordon out. You lose 18 points per game, on efficient shooting, and your best offensive player in the half court, which becomes all that much more important in the postseason.
Trading Gordon for anything less than full value would completely negate the reward of a risky decision made in the first place.
After many doubted the signing, including me, LaMelo Ball’s ascension and Miles Bridges’ development have vaulted you into a space no one really expected to see this early.
Under a playoff mandated season, he’s that much more significant.
