THE Charlotte Hornets announced on Sunday they have acquired forward Gordon Hayward in a sign-and-trade deal from the Boston Celtics.
Hayward joins Charlotte and the team also receives a 2023 and 2024 second-round draft pick in return for a protected 2022 second-round draft pick and also creates a trade exception for Boston.
Hayward signed a four-year contract worth $120 million. The Celtics created a trade exception worth roughly $30 million that must be used within the next year.
“We are thrilled to welcome Gordon and his family to the Hornets organization and Charlotte,” said Hornets President of Basketball Operations Mitch Kupchak said in a statement.
“Gordon is an NBA All-Star, a proven scorer and playmaker and a tough competitor that will fit well into the needs of our team. We believe that his basketball talent, NBA experience and veteran leadership will make a positive impact on our young, talented team as it continues to develop.”
Charlotte finished 10th in the Eastern Conference in 2019-20 with a 23-42 record. Hayward figures to be a building block moving forward.
Hayward has averaged 15.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game over his 10-year NBA career, which has included stops with the Utah Jazz and Boston. He’s career 45.1% shooter, including 36.6% from 3-point range and 82.3% at the foul line.
In 29 playoff games, Hayward averaged 15 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.
The Celtics were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2020 playoffs, held in a “bubble” near Orlando this fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hayward was drafted ninth overall by the Jazz in the 2010 draft after a two-year stint at Butler, where he led the Bulldogs to the championship game of the 2010 NCAA Tournament. — Reuters