The Gordon Hayward Thread

[catch20two]

I dont know what the feelings on this board are, but at that price, I dont like his addition to the Hornets.

Its insane how much money is being thrown out this FA offseason.

I feel the same way as you. Hayward ain't worth that damn much, probably just half of it to be honest. I hope Utah match this sh*t so that we don't be stuck with this horrible contract for the next 4 years or so. I don't know what's going on around here.

[thesneakysneak]

I'm assuming we're thinking Gordon can play PF? He's an inch or so shorter than McRoberts, but he's got pretty decent length and is a much better rebounder. If that's the case, I really hope this deal goes through. I've watched Hayward play quite a bit, and he's basically a rich man's version of McRoberts.

--Like Josh, he's a smart player that always makes the right play. That's the thing that always stands out the most. Incredibly high B-ball IQ.

--He's a great passer and a good ballhandler, so we could run the offense through him to take some pressure off Kemba. Again, very McBob-like in this regard.

--He's a good athlete and surprisingly good defender. I don't know the numbers, but he seems to get a lot of steals and deflections every time I watch him.

--He's a good shooter with range ... easily as good as Josh. I know his shooting numbers dipped, but that's because Utah had no paint presence (and really, no other scoring threats) to take the pressure off him. He can create shots, but it's not really his game.

--Lastly, he's got all the intangibles. Great teammate, great motor, extremely likeable, unselfish, and he hasn't yet hit his prime. He's also about as non-controversial as you can get. He honestly seems too nice out there at times ... he might need to work on that.


All that said, a max deal seems a little crazy. But since we're Charlotte and not the Lakers, I guess we have to overspend to get serious talent. FWIW, I'd much rather have Hayward than Carmelo

PF?!
try SG , or 'wing' next to MKG

[lukekarts]

Teams are clearly desperate.

I understand the strategy here though - max money is the only way the Jazz consider not retaining him. It's 50/50 I think. Utah have a history of being fairly reluctant to 'overpay' or be perceived to overpay (Wes Matthews, for instance).

I hope if you guys get him, he actually reaches his potential. It'd suck for you to be stuck with a guy on $15m per year producing like a role player.

[ohara]

Not only do we get someone who can score, but Hayward is a terrific passer. We lost McRoberts who was a great passer, but getting Hayward will help greatly to offet the loss. Guarantee you that Cho, MJ and the coaching staff know exactly what they are doing here trying to get Hayward in Charlotte.

[ARHornet]

I hope the Jazz match. That is an awful contract.

Question, does this rule out a sign and trade or is that still on the table?

[freakon0mics]

Not only do we get someone who can score, but Hayward is a terrific passer. We lost McRoberts who was a great passer, but getting Hayward will help greatly to offet the loss. Guarantee you that Cho, MJ and the coaching staff know exactly what they are doing here trying to get Hayward in Charlotte.

While I agree with you that he Hayward is a very gifted player, but do you think he can live up to the "max" contract status? I think we are taking a huge gamble with this signing, if the Jazz doesn't match. There are very few players in the league worth that contract.

[heater4life]

I dont know what the feelings on this board are, but at that price, I dont like his addition to the Hornets.

Its insane how much money is being thrown out this FA offseason.

its really just a smoke screen, Utah will match it then we will sign Lebron to the max.

done deal.

Wouldnt surprise me, smokescreen has been the theme for this offseason. More so than in past years.

[_tijo_]

So, if the contract has a 15% trade kicker, and we do a S&T with Utah for him, does that mean he gets the 15% automatically, since he technically signed with Utah and was then traded to us? So we can pay him even more and eat more into our cap space when Kemba needs an extension and Al can opt out next year?

This sounds like an excellent idea...

[vorbis]

if there's to be a sign-and-trade, i think we'll definitely hear of the parameters today. as soon as hayward signs the offer sheet, the sign and trade either has to be already set up, or there's not going to be one.

[vorbis]

So, if the contract has a 15% trade kicker, and we do a S&T with Utah for him, does that mean he gets the 15% automatically, since he technically signed with Utah and was then traded to us? So we can pay him even more and eat more into our cap space when Kemba needs an extension and Al can opt out next year?

This sounds like an excellent idea...

if the trade kicker works as you describe (your guess as good as mine) then i would say it's designed to prevent a sign-and-trade scenario. jazz match, or let him walk.

[LofJ]

So, if the contract has a 15% trade kicker, and we do a S&T with Utah for him, does that mean he gets the 15% automatically, since he technically signed with Utah and was then traded to us? So we can pay him even more and eat more into our cap space when Kemba needs an extension and Al can opt out next year?

This sounds like an excellent idea...

They probably inserted that to discourage a sign and trade I imagine. They either match or they don't. I doubt we're interested in a sign and trade unless they want to take Henderson off our hands (lol).

[12footrim]

I'd much rather throw an over pay (which would still only be like 1/3 or half of that money) at someone like Marrion or Vince Carter for a year than tie up that kind of money in this guy. Could probably get guys like Marrion and Carter both for less than that. Still need some PF help as well. Marrion could even pull some minutes there.

[Joest2003]

Did I just read that were offering hayward 16 million a year or am I still dreaming?? This makes me wonder how much kemba will be offered next season. Also, if jazz do match (let us pray) will that turn lance off since now he will feel like alast resort. Jefferson said he signed here because they made him feel wanted. Lance won't be able to say that now.

[HornetJail]

I'd much rather throw an over pay (which would still only be like 1/3 or half of that money) at someone like Marrion or Vince Carter for a year than tie up that kind of money in this guy. Could probably get guys like Marrion and Carter both for less than that. Still need some PF help as well. Marrion could even pull some minutes there.

I think we'd be able to sign both for half of the $16M we're trying up in Hayward

[HornetJail]

I hope the Jazz match. That is an awful contract.

Question, does this rule out a sign and trade or is that still on the table?

We have until the moratorium ends (so midnight tonight) to work out a S&T otherwise, it's simply an offer that Utah can elect to either match or not match.

[LofJ]

Did I just read that were offering hayward 16 million a year or am I still dreaming?? This makes me wonder how much kemba will be offered next season. Also, if jazz do match (let us pray) will that turn lance off since now he will feel like alast resort. Jefferson said he signed here because they made him feel wanted. Lance won't be able to say that now.

The only team that has offered him a contract is the Pacers up until this point. He's everyone's 2nd option at this point so I doubt he would take offense at that.

[ARHornet]

Have there been any reports that suggested that Utah might not match?

[12footrim]

I dont know what the feelings on this board are, but at that price, I dont like his addition to the Hornets.

Its insane how much money is being thrown out this FA offseason.

its really just a smoke screen, Utah will match it then we will sign Lebron to the max.

done deal.

Wouldnt surprise me, smokescreen has been the theme for this offseason. More so than in past years.

I heard that term a lot around Lebron and the big 3 when people say they aren't acting in concert or all this Cavs stuff is just a smoke screen. It doesn't make sense to me though. What benefit is it to actually trying to sign players if others think there is some chance the Big 3 aren't coming back or on the same page. What good does it do Lebron's rep after the 1st decision to dick around the Cavs again and break the fans heart if he really has no intention of going back. I don't think he's about spite and I don't think the Big 3 are just playing like they aren't on the same page and saying it's a smokescreen doesn't fit. Seems like denial.

[kmgarnett21]

I'm a huge Hayward fan. He's one of my top 3 favorite players in the league today. And even I think the contract is nuts.

If Utah doesn't match, looks like I'll be wasting some money on a new Hornets Hayward jersey.

[12footrim]

I'd much rather throw an over pay (which would still only be like 1/3 or half of that money) at someone like Marrion or Vince Carter for a year than tie up that kind of money in this guy. Could probably get guys like Marrion and Carter both for less than that. Still need some PF help as well. Marrion could even pull some minutes there.

I think we'd be able to sign both for half of the $16M we're trying up in Hayward

You would have hoped, but have you seen this market? Marrion was projected at 6 million a year back in Febuary by ESPN. That's probably more like 7 or 8 now with Frye getting 8 million for example for 4 years. Ben Gordon got 4.5 million a year. Vince wouldn't be playing if he didn't still want some money. They are actually two guys that are probably still worth it for a short term contract.