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Michael Dwyer / Associated Press
The Charlotte Hornets and Boston Celtics are reportedly working on a signing-and-trade deal focused on Gordon Hayward after the Hornets signed the wing.
According to ESPN Adrian Wojnarowski, the deal would result in Boston in a trade exception, but the Hornets are trying to get a third team involved to take Nicolas Batum and his $ 27 million salary in order to avoid giving him up.
Wojnarowski added that regardless of how the business talks go, Hayward is signing a four-year, $ 120 million contract to play for the Hornets, as was originally announced.
Hayward turned down the $ 34.2 million option in his 2020-21 contract with the Celtics to become a free agent, and the Hornets quickly rushed to sign him.
If the Hornets and Celtics agree on a signing and trade, it will mark a reversal of what happened the last offseason when Boston acquired guard Kemba Walker from Charlotte in a signing and trade for guard Terry Rozier. .
Hayward signed with Boston in 2017 after spending the first seven years of his career with the Utah Jazz. He suffered a serious leg injury in his first game as Celtic which cost him the entire 2017-18 campaign.
While Hayward returned to appear in 72 games the following season, he clearly was not the same player he was before the injury, as he averaged just 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 25.9 minutes per game.
Last season, Hayward was another year off injury and came very close to the All-Star level of play he posted in Utah, averaging 17.5 points, 6.7 rebounds. and 4.1 assists in 33.5 minutes per game.
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In Charlotte, Hayward, 30, will reunite with Rozier and instantly become the top player on a squad that boasts promising young talent, including the No.3 pick in the 2020 overall standings, LaMelo Ball.
Since Hayward makes Batum’s presence redundant, it’s no surprise that the Hornets are looking to move Batum and his expiring contract.
Batum, 31, had the worst season of his career in 2019-20, averaging just 3.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 23.0 minutes per game in 22 games.
Batum was among the most versatile players in the NBA during his seven seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, and he was also very productive early in his tenure with the Hornets, including in 2016-17, when he averages 15.1 points and 5.9. helps go with 6.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals.
Batum is averaging 11.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists in his career.
Batum agent Jeremy Medjana told Basket Session (h / t Hoops Hype) on Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Jazz, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Toronto Raptors have all shown interest in Batum.
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