Former Boston Celtics star Gordon Hayward was one of the biggest fish in free agency this year, and after it appeared that he could be heading home to Indiana to play for the Pacers, it was reported on Saturday that Hayward has agreed to a 4-year, $120 million deal with the Charlotte Hornets.
The outcome of the Hayward situation left fans questioning both the Celtics’ Danny Ainge – who ended up with nothing for Hayward after reportedly negotiating a deal that could have landed him the Pacers’ Myles Turner – and Hornets owner Michael Jordan, who has committed to paying the 30-year-old Hayward $30 million a year after not offering Kemba Walker a supermax last year. Hayward has a troubling injury history, having played an average of 41.6 games per season for the Celtics over the last three years, and was limited to five games in the 2020 playoffs.
Given the Hornets’ smaller market and lack of success – the franchise has made the playoffs just three times in the last 16 seasons, and hasn’t been out of the first round since 2002 – it’s not surprising that Charlotte would have to offer a sizable contract to attract a top free agent. Still, a young team with no real immediate aspirations to contend settling on Hayward – which also required the Hornets to waive and stretch Nic Batum just to create the cap space – isn’t a move that’s going over well on NBA Twitter.
LeBron is 100 times better at putting together teams than Michael Jordan and it’s not even his job yet
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) November 21, 2020
In a sense, if the Hornets are waiving and stretching Nic Batum, they are spending an average of $39M a year for the next three years for Hayward.
Hayward = $30M
Batum = $9M in dead money— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) November 21, 2020
The Hornets: *no longer have one of the NBA's worst contracts*
Michael Jordan: pic.twitter.com/0Yl5pa7r1g
— Blue Wire Podcasts (@bluewirepods) November 21, 2020
Michael Jordan refused to pay $40 million a year for Kemba Walker….
He turned around and paid $47 million a year for Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier pic.twitter.com/yZBuRq6W0P
— Kyle Ledbetter (@CSM_MemesInsta) November 21, 2020
Still trying to process the #Hornets, effectively, making Gordon Hayward a $40M a year player the next three seasons. I love Hayward’s game, but he would’ve had trouble finding that deal with no injury history. It’s wild.
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) November 21, 2020
Michael Jordan when he sees he can overpay and average player: pic.twitter.com/5vN8sg5GRC
— Sami Jarjour (@JarjourSami) November 21, 2020
CRAZY to pay Gordon Hayward 30 million a year for the next four years.
Michael Jordan. The GOAT as a player, but man is he bad as an owner.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) November 21, 2020
Sidenote Gordon Hayward first team all time bag securer with this deal after what has been a lacklaster past few seasons dealing with awful injuries
— Shake4ndbake (@ItsShake4ndbake) November 21, 2020
I don’t speak on no mans money, but Gordon Hayward averaged 17 and 5 over the last two years and hasn’t moved the same since his injury.
That’s a max? But I know guys who produced close to that, are in peak shape and not in the league.
— Ball Don't Stop (@balldontstop) November 21, 2020
