Mitch Kupchak, Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations and General Manager, announced on Sunday that they have acquired forward Gordon Hayward from Bolton Celtics on the basis of sign-and-trade deal.
Hayward is a 2023 and 2024 second-round draft pick and the Hornets have acquired him in exchange for a protected 2022 second-round draft pick from the Celtics. Terms of the deal were not disclosed as per team policy.
“We are thrilled to welcome Gordon and his family to the Hornets organization and Charlotte,” said Kupchak.
“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,” he added.
Hayward is a 10-year NBA veteran who has made 641 regular-season games (479 starts) with the Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics. During this period, he has averaged 15.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 30.8 minutes per game.
If we combine his last three seasons in Boston, Hayward has played in 125 games — out of which he started in 71. In these matches, he averaged 13.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 28.9 minutes per game
As far as his seven seasons with Utah go, Hayward played a total of 516 regular season games — out of which he started in 408. He led Utah in three-pointers made during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons with 143 and 149 respectively. That places him only behind John Stockton (845) in terms of three-pointers made in franchise history. Hayward has a total of 689 three-pointers to his name.
Hayward was picked to play in the 2012 NBA Rising Stars Challenge and was named in the 2012 Western Conference All Star Team as well, during his stint with Utah. He was drafted ninth overall by Utah Jazz in the 2010 NBA draft. It came after a two-year collegiate career at Buttler University and he led their team to the championship game of the 2010 NCAA Tournament as well.
