Gordon Hayward, a low cost option for the Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have been struggling after winning the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament late last year. The team is stuck in tenth position in the Western Conference with a record of 17 wins and the same number of losses.

Teams have until the transfer market closes on 8 February to make reinforcements and Lakers management already have several players on the list of possible arrivals for the second part of the season. One of them is Gordon Hayward, a relatively straightforward option as they wouldn’t have to go out of their way to bring him to Los Angeles.

Economic option

The Lakers are desperate to strengthen the team after a run of poor results during December and according to a league executive, Hayward would be a low option. The forward is in his fourth season with the Charlotte Hornets and in his last 25 games he has averaged 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists while shooting 36.1 percent from the perimeter.

“I don’t think he’s a player you should offer a first round pick for,” the NBA executive told Heavy Sports. “And that’s what the Lakers need. Someone who can help, but not harm the future. It is a desperate move but look at his record”.

Hayward has not played since Boxing Day after picking up a calf injury in the game against the Clippers in the Hornets’ nine-point loss. Injuries have been a constant problem for the 33-year-old forward since his arrival in Charlotte in the 2020/21 season. He has been sidelined several times with various different complaints - ankle, back, hamstring and calf muscle sprains.

Those setbacks meant that the 33-year-old has only been able to play 50 games in a single season with the Hornets. Nevertheless, he is a player with a lot of experience in the league. He is a versatile player with many qualities who can undoubtedly help the Lakers off the bench, something that the team badly needs right now.