The Charlotte Hornets seem to be moving in the right direction but there is one contract that is a big weight on their shoulders right now. That is Gordon Hayward. He signed a four-year, $120 million deal last offseason with the team and that could be sent away if a team will take it on. The Cleveland Cavaliers are an intriguing team to keep an eye on in a trade ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season.
The Cavaliers have been in rebuilding mode for years now. They have attempted to build through the draft and that continued this year. Cleveland landed the third-overall pick in the draft and were able to select Evan Mobley out of USC.
Mobley is a true center that will play alongside Jarrett Allen, who signed a fresh contract in free agency. Cleveland is set down low and has some talent in the backcourt. Collin Sexton and Darius Garland have looked promising during their early years in the league. They are missing that proven star in the lineup that could help get to the next level.
Charlotte could be willing to move Hayward. They are young and only going to get better. LaMelo Ball is the franchise player in Charlotte and the piece to build around. That seems to be the plan in Charlotte. They made a deal back into the first round of the draft to land Kai Jones, after selecting James Bouknight with the 11th-overall pick.
The Hornets lost Devonte’ Graham but Ball and Bouknight could be a backcourt to build around. Charlotte has a chance to get closer to the postseason moving forward and they will do so by shedding some large contracts.
This is a deal that would open some eyes but might not be much of a surprise. Here is what a potential NBA trade scenario centered around Gordon Hayward might look like between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Charlotte Hornets.