The Charlotte Hornets have been a very up-and-down team this NBA season, but they are still on the verge of making the playoffs for the first time since 2016. For years now, the Hornets have been looking to put the right pieces together in order to build a sustainable, high-level team and it seems like they finally have the formula for success at hand.
Miles Bridges has been having a breakout fourth-year in the NBA on the wing and with a strong backcourt duo in LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier, Charlotte currently resides tied for 8th in the Eastern Conference standings with the Nets and Hawks.
One of the better offensive teams in the league, the Hornets have found a lot of success on the floor this season, yet they have struggled as of late with veteran Gordon Hayward out of the lineup.
Hayward has not played since Feb. 7 due to a left ankle sprain and since then, the Hornets have gone 4-6 without him during this stretch.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Offseason Moves For Charlotte Hornets To Already Think About
Getting Gordon Hayward back and healthy near the end of the season is going to be critical for the Hornets if they are to make a serious push at the playoffs this season, but his future in Charlotte is going to be up-in-the-air heading into the offseason.
The veteran has meant a lot to this young Hornets team, however, he is going to be making $30 million next season and is under contract through the 2023-24 season.
With him being 31-years-old and turning 32 at the end of March, the idea of trading Gordon Hayward while he still holds value could make a lot of sense for the Hornets. Win or lose this season in regards to making the playoffs, the Hornets will have some tough offseason decisions to make, starting with the future of Gordon Hayward.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Offseason Moves For Charlotte Hornets To Already Think About
Should they look to trade him, the Portland Trail Blazers are definitely an intriguing team to consider as a possible landing spot for Gordon Hayward. They are “rebuilding”, but they want to surround Damian Lillard with other high-level, championship-caliber talents and Hayward could fit this description for Portland.
Could we see an offseason trade between the Trail Blazers and Hornets involving Gordon Hayward? Let’s take a look at what this trade could look like.
