12.1 career points per game, 3.1 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game apparently gets a lot these days in the NBA. In Gordon Hayward’s case, the former Butler standout has earned himself a max contract offer with the Charlotte Hornets, as Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer reported. The Utah Jazz can still match any offer Hayward receives.
Gordon Hayward, the gifted small forward from the Utah Jazz, wants to be a Charlotte Hornet.
The Observer learned first late Monday that Hayward will sign an offer sheet with the Hornets Thursday, once the NBA moratorium ends. Hayward is expected to sign a maximum deal, which would guarantee him $63 million over four years.
The Jazz would have three days to match the Hornets’ offer, under NBA rules.
Hayward has a very, very high ceiling. He can absolutely one day possibly hit the high expectations people around the NBA have for him. Now the process might have to be sped up.
Hayward has no major awards or credentials to his name in the NBA to this point. But he is 6’8 and 225 pounds, so the body is there. The small forward is getting the max from the Hornets in what I believe that Michael Jordan is doing to add a new influx of talent.
Now this contract just sets up what could be a lot of big pay days for other young potential stars in free agency this summer like Eric Bledsoe, Chandler Parsons, Greg Monroe and even Isaiah Thomas.
