Should the New Orleans Pelicans pursue free agent Gordon Hayward?
The New Orleans Pelicans still have a lot of work to do after the NBA Draft. After trading three of their picks, the Pelicans still need to balance their roster with NBA free agents or trades.
It was reported by Shams Charania that Gordon Hayward is going to decline his massive $34 million option to become a free agent.
First off, wow.
You can tell Hayward isn’t worried about money because those are some tall stacks to walk away from. Hayward needs to have his head checked.
But it also means he desperately wants out of Boston and doesn’t trust the Celtics to trade him to a place he wants to go. Future free agents: Take notice of the difference between how Boston has treated its stars and the way the Pelicans have.
Hayward is likely paying millions to get out of Boston and as someone who hates the Celtics, I can’t blame him.
New Orleans Pelicans: Is Gordon Hayward a free-agent fit?
The Knicks are reportedly eyeing Hayward and I am sure there will be other teams vying for his services. Should the Pelicans be one of them?
Let’s look at three different issues to see if the Pelicans should pass or pursue.
Gordon Hayward’s Fit on the Pelicans
Gordon Hayward is one of those guys who would fit on just about any roster.
He is the ultimate “glue guy,” an unselfish player who does a little bit of everything to help his team win.
Hayward is a decent team defender, can shoot from range, create plays off the dribble and rebounds well for his position.
He could play alongside Brandon Ingram and give Stan Van Gundy some big wing shooters to work with, which we know he likes.
Hayward would give the Pels another scoring and pick-and-roll option, making them very versatile on offense. He shoots well from 3-point range so can spread the floor for Zion Williamson, and by all accounts, he is a great teammate.
If we are just looking at fit, then Hayward is a good choice a wing who can do it all.