NBA Trade Rumors: According to a recent report, the Miami Heat could emerge as a landing spot for Gordon Hayward.
As the Miami Heat continues to wait out the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, which may or may not still be active, the questions surrounding this team continue to grow. And one of their biggest concerns heading into the 2022-23 NBA season remains the lack of a starting power forward on the roster.
Even though the start of training camp is still two months away, there has to be another shoe to drop for the Heat. Question is, assuming that shoe isn’t Durant or even Donovan Mitchell, who could it be?
According to one recent report, perhaps it’s time to throw Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward’s name into the mix. Hayward is a name that the Heat will reportedly keep an eye on as we inch closer and closer to the start of the season.
And Hayward does make some sense for the Heat, especially considering they were interested in him before he signed with the Boston Celtics during the summer of 2017. However, there are a few more variables at play here – for one, this isn’t 2017 and, two, Hayward is 32 years old, past his prime, and has battled injury after injury over the last few years.
In theory, he would be a fit for the Heat – he could fill the role of a power forward and could even play the forward position alongside Jimmy Butler if needed.
Another issue is the fact that Hayward still has two years remaining on his current deal with the Hornets. And for as much sense as he would make for the Heat, I’m not sure they want to absorb two years of his services to their cap.
Though, the idea of it is something that could offer an interesting alternative option for Miami. If nothing else, it’s something to think about heading into the season.