This isn’t exactly what the Charlotte Hornets had in mind when they handed Gordon Hayward $120 million in November. Recent NBA news indicates that the often-injured former Utah Jazz All-Star is dealing with yet another ailment.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Hayward has suffered a avulsion fracture of his pinky finger. While the Hornets are listing Hayward day-to-day, this seems to be a multi-week injury. At the very least, it will impact him with the Hornets’ regular season slated to start against the Cleveland Cavaliers in a week.
For the 30-year-old Hayward, this is just the latest example in a laundry list of injuries he has had to deal with over the past several years.
NBA news: Gordon Hayward injury history
- 2017-18: Hayward suffered a fractured tibia and dislocated ankle in his left leg just six minutes into his Boston Celtics career after inking a four-year, $128 million contract with the team. He would not play again that season.
- 2019-20: Hayward suffered an ankle sprain during the NBA restart at Walt Disney World in Orland on Aug. 17. He would ultimately miss more than a month of action before returning to the court.
Despite all of this, Charlotte acquired Gordon Hayward in a sign and trade with the Celtics last month. This included the team handing him a four-year, $120 million contract. Obviously, this injury is not a great way for Hayward to start his career in Charlotte.
Charlotte Hornets depth chart
If Hayward is forced to miss the start of the regular season, Charlotte’s depth chart will take a hit. Here’s a look at its current iteration.
- LaMelo Ball, Grant Riller
- Devonte’ Graham, Terry Rozier, Malik Monk
- Gordon Hayward, Cody Martin, Caleb Martin
- P.J. Washington, Miles Bridges, Jalen McDaniels, Vernon Carey Jr.
- Cody Zeller, Bismack Biyombo, Nick Richards
As you can see, Cody Martin would likely fill in for Hayward with Miles Bridges potentially playing some three. Not a great scenario.
