It appears that the Charlotte Hornets’ forward Gordon Hayward wouldn’t mind playing elsewhere in the 2022-23 NBA season. According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, Hayward has recently indicated that he would be interested in a “change of scenery” in the offseason.
The news comes after Hayward had a disappointing end to his 2021-22 season. He felt discomfort in his left foot and was forced to miss the play-in tournament. The health issues are nothing new for the 32-year-old player, who only played 49 games this season. He averaged 15.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists when available.
It is unclear where Hayward could end up if he leaves Charlotte, but the Los Angeles Lakers seem like a logical destination. The Hornets showed interest in All-Star guard Russell Westbrook, who struggled since he joined the Lakers in the offseason and is already believed to be on the exit door. Swapping Hayward and Westbrook might benefit both the players and their respective teams.
Gordon Hayward joined the Hornets on a four-year, $120 million deal in 2020 following a stint with the Boston Celtics. However, the investment didn’t pay off for the Hornets so far, as Hayward struggled to stay healthy during his time with the franchise. As a result, he played 93 games while also failing to be productive when on the court.
