This Bulls-Hornets trade proposal sends Gordon Hayward to Chicago

One NBA writer is proposing that the Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls make a trade this summer centered around small forward Gordon Hayward.

Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report proposed that the Hornets send Hayward to the Bulls for shooting guard Dalen Terry, point guard Lonzo Ball and forward Derrick Jones Jr. The goal would be for Charlotte to move on from Hayward’s expiring contract before he reaches free agency next summer.

“The Hornets took a major step back in 2022-23 and could already feel pressure to keep LaMelo Ball happy as he enters the final year of his rookie contract,” Swartz wrote. “Hayward, now 33 and entering the last year of his own contract, shouldn’t be viewed as a core piece in Charlotte any longer. The Hornets should see what they can get for Hayward before he likely leaves in free agency next season, even if the return is modest. This is where both teams can help each other.”

The gamble for the Hornets would be a buy-low opportunity on Lonzo Ball, the brother of franchise cornerstone LaMelo Ball. There are major concerns about Lonzo’s injury recovery, but if it was to pan out, the perimeter size that Charlotte would gain would be intriguing.

Hayward is the household name in this trade. The one-time All-Star averaged 14.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the Hornets this season while shooting 47.5% from the field, 32.5% from beyond the arc and 81.1% from the free-throw line in 50 games.

If the Bulls don’t trade All-Stars Zach LaVine and/or DeMar DeRozan this summer, they could acquire Hayward and continue to be in win-now mode. Hayward isn’t the player he once was with the Utah Jazz, but he can still score in bunches and shoot from the perimeter.

“With the Bulls’ offense struggling this season (24th overall, 112.8 rating), essentially swapping Terry and Jones for Hayward would improve this scoring attack while also shedding $21.4 million worth of salary in 2024-25,” Swartz wrote.