The Hornets made one of the biggest and most controversial splashes in free agency, signing injury-prone forward Gordon Hayward to a four-year, $120MM contract. Due to injuries and the development of his Boston teammates, Hayward was never able to return to his All-Star form while with the Celtics.
Although the Hornets’ $120MM commitment to Hayward is widely viewed as an overpay, it didn’t come out of left field. In today’s edition of The Lowe Post podcast, Zach Lowe of ESPN suggests that the Hornets’ offer to Hayward was not significantly higher than that of some competing clubs hoping for his services in free agency.
“You want to clown the contract?” Lowe said (per RealGM). “That’s fine. Just know it’s not like the Pacers and the Celtics were offering $80MM. They weren’t offering $120MM. But my best intel is something like $105MM, $108MM, $102MM, $110MM.”
Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer examines Hayward’s fit with the Hornets, conceding that the deal is probably an overpay. However, he also contends that Hayward can supply veteran leadership to the Hornets’ young core while being by far their best player, if healthy. Hayward will be leaned on to supply multifaceted scoring and is an expert play-maker. He also will be able to convincingly slot into the lineup at small forward, power forward, and even shooting guard.
- Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard said today that the team informed every center it spoke to in free agency that Thomas Bryant would remain the Wizards’ starter, according to Quinton Mayo of NBC Sports Washington (Twitter link). “Certainly probably rubbed some guys the wrong way who thought they could come in here and start,” Sheppard said. The club ultimately signed Robin Lopez to back up Bryant.
- Beyond the churning NBA rumor mill, Wizards point guard John Wall has remained active during the offseason. Wall will purchase an ownership stake in the Australian NBL club the South East Melbourne Phoenix, Marc Stein of the New York Times tweets. Los Angeles entrepreneur Romie Chaudhari heads the ownership group for the Phoenix, which also includes and Cavaliers reserve guard Dante Exum, plus retired big men Zach Randolph and Al Harrington and retired swingman Josh Childress.
- Point guard Goran Dragic and backup center Meyers Leonard are excited to return to the Heat, according to Joe Beguiristain of Heat.com. Miami prioritized re-signing both players to lucrative two-year contracts with team options for the second year. “When free agency hit, we pretty much made our quick deal,” Dragic commented. “First of all, it felt like there was unfinished business for our team and for me because, obviously, going through the ankle injury was not easy, and I feel like I could have helped in many different ways,” Leonard said.
The hornets and Celtics should just do a sign and trade. Batum for Hayward
While you’re at it, I’d also like to see the Celtics do a sign and trade with the Knicks – Tatum for Randle.
You don’t need to be rude. Hayward is going to Charlotte regardless and they plan on stretching and waiving batum anyway. So why not just have them switch places. Throw in future draft picks or something to Charlotte
If Celtics can flip Batum and a first for DeRozan.
Because Charlotte is under the cap, Boston would be better off doing a sign and trade, attach a second rounder and basically receive a massive trade exemption in return. I’d rather do that than receive Batum or any other player for that matter.
Batum would be a good fit as the backup PF in Houston. Wherever he goes it should be on a minimum vet deal, and he would be a good replacement for Jeff Green. Even though he wouldn’t be as good on offense, Batum is still a solid defender who can be a poor man’s Draymond in limited playing time.
I don’t get it
The real contract is about $105mm
Right?
Having Hayward (and Graham) should allow CHA to start young Ball right away if they can move Rozier. If not… they could put three PGs and Hayward on the court at the same time!
Justifying an overpay by pointing out other dumb teams also wiling to overpay. Good job.