On one side, NBA champions who lost their title. On the other, a former All-Star who has just experienced the worst season of his career. The spirit of revenge could bring them together, and this is what advances DNVR Sports who reports that Gordon Hayward would be one of the players the Nuggets are interested in for next season.
After earning $239 million in his career, including $31.5 million this season, Hayward is expected to accept a small salary to revive his career. A versatile winger at the Jazz and the Celtics, he was lost at the Hornets, and his time at OKC will leave no trace.
“I’m disappointed with the way things turned out. It was definitely frustrating” he admitted. “I think as a player I still have a lot to offer. I haven't really had the chance to do it. I thought I would be given this opportunity.”
Other priorities…
On the Denver side, the leaders are looking for a creator and a player capable of creating his own shot. This fits Hayward's profile. On condition that he regains some of his qualities because he is on a slippery slope. Without forgetting that he remains a very fragile player.
But before considering strengthening, we will first have to focus on the players who could jump ship. This is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who has a $15.4 million option. If he activates (or if he extends), the Nuggets' finances will be even more in the red. Same situation for Reggie Jackson, who also has an option ($5.2 million) for this offseason. Which could seriously limit recruitment possibilities.
| Gordon Hayward | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2010-11 | UTH | 72 | 17 | 48.5 | 47.3 | 71.1 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 5.4 |
| 2011-12 | UTH | 66 | 31 | 45.6 | 34.6 | 83.2 | 0.9 | 2.6 | 3.5 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 11.9 |
| 2012-13 | UTH | 72 | 29 | 43.5 | 41.5 | 82.7 | 0.7 | 2.4 | 3.1 | 3.0 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 14.1 |
| 2013-14 | UTH | 77 | 36 | 41.3 | 30.4 | 81.6 | 0.8 | 4.3 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 2.0 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 16.2 |
| 2014-15 | UTH | 76 | 34 | 44.5 | 36.4 | 81.2 | 0.7 | 4.2 | 4.9 | 4.1 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 19.3 |
| 2015-16 | UTH | 80 | 36 | 43.3 | 34.9 | 82.4 | 0.8 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 3.7 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 19.7 |
| 2016-17 | UTH | 73 | 35 | 47.1 | 39.8 | 84.4 | 0.7 | 4.7 | 5.4 | 3.5 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 21.9 |
| 2017-18 | BOS | 1 | 5 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
| 2018-19 | BOS | 72 | 26 | 46.6 | 33.3 | 83.4 | 0.7 | 3.8 | 4.5 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 11.5 |
| 2019-20 | BOS | 52 | 34 | 50.0 | 38.3 | 85.5 | 1.1 | 5.6 | 6.7 | 4.1 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 17.5 |
| 2020-21 | CHA | 44 | 34 | 47.3 | 41.5 | 84.3 | 0.8 | 5.0 | 5.9 | 4.1 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 19.6 |
| 2021-22 | CHA | 49 | 32 | 45.9 | 39.1 | 84.6 | 0.8 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 3.6 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 15.9 |
| 2022-23 | CHA | 50 | 32 | 47.5 | 32.5 | 81.1 | 0.7 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 14.7 |
| 2023-24 * | All Teams | 51 | 24 | 46.4 | 41.1 | 74.2 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 3.6 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 9.8 |
| 2023-24 * | OKAY | 26 | 17 | 45.3 | 51.7 | 69.2 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 5.3 |
| 2023-24 * | CHA | 25 | 32 | 46.8 | 36.1 | 76.5 | 1.0 | 3.7 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 14.5 |
| Total | 835 | 31 | 45.5 | 37.0 | 82.2 | 0.8 | 3.7 | 4.4 | 3.5 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 15.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
