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Charlotte will undoubtedly continue listening to calls for Hayward up to the trade deadline, but it's hard to imagine they'd land much beyond salary filler and a second-round pick in talks. That could be enough to get a deal done if the Hornets want to feature Brandon Miller, whose playing time is impacted by Hayward's presence, but odds are they'll keep a grip on Hayward until the front office is satisfied with this season being a wash.

KingCat wrote:I cannot imagine we can get much out of him. Like some Gerald Wallace in 2011 type stuff at best (can't believe im still hurt by that)

JMAC3 wrote:We made it, this is the moment we have been waiting on for Hayward for 2+ years. Where his contract is expiring and isn't going to carry negative trade equity. Regardless of what FO is saying, they are likely trading him, but expecting a trade before the deadline in the NBA is a pipe dream. Teams will have injuries and there will be a real teams interested in Hayward because he can fill multiple roles for a playoff team.

We just need to be patient, which sounds like we are doing. No need to advertise he is available and get nothing back in value.

Liver_Pooty wrote:

JMAC3 wrote:We made it, this is the moment we have been waiting on for Hayward for 2+ years. Where his contract is expiring and isn't going to carry negative trade equity. Regardless of what FO is saying, they are likely trading him, but expecting a trade before the deadline in the NBA is a pipe dream. Teams will have injuries and there will be a real teams interested in Hayward because he can fill multiple roles for a playoff team.

We just need to be patient, which sounds like we are doing. No need to advertise he is available and get nothing back in value.

By patient do you mean wait for him to get injured and have zero value other than his expiring ?

Hayward's traumatic 2017 leg injury -- in his first game as a Celtic -- stands as one of the saddest and most fascinating sliding doors moments in recent NBA history. Hayward was solidifying himself as an All-Star -- a 22-point, 5-assist, 5-rebound type who could defend four positions. He has never been close to that since.

Hayward is still a good two-way player -- a 15-point, 5-assist guy who could help a contender in a lesser role. But until breaking out for 22 points Thursday night against the Brooklyn Nets, he had looked a shade of himself -- experiencing a crisis in confidence in full public view. His go-to move now is spinning away from contact, even when he has a runway, and pivoting into fadeaway jumpers.

Almost 60% of Hayward's attempts have been mid-rangers, per Cleaning The Glass. He's getting to the rim at near career-low rates, and barely takes 3s anymore. After a nice start, Hayward has scored 10 or fewer points in five of his last eight games.

He's still helpful as a connector, but sometimes the right play involves getting greedy. Hayward has the feel and oomph to do that -- and the stroke from deep -- but he has to get past whatever mental hurdle is in his way.

What are your expectations for this group by the end of the season?

GH: I think that all depends on if we defend. If we defend and get stops, then I think certainly the playoffs are the expectation. If we don’t defend, we’ll be just like the last couple of years. That’s on us.

JDR720 wrote:I wonder what the others think about that.

Gordon isn't that athletic and is the oldest player on the team (besides Ish) yet he gives more effort on D than most of them do.

JDR720 wrote:

Read on Twitter

Gordon out for at least 2 weeks.

JDR720 wrote:Was my tweet above when he last played? 2 weeks is going to turn into 2 months.