“Gordon Hayward is Overrated”: NBA Analyst Sends Michael Jordan a Message Following Charlotte Hornet’s Bold Move

The NBA off-season is progressing at a frantic pace right now. Their have been multiple trades and signings by multiple teams. All of this despite this year’s free agency not being the strongest.

Gordon Hayward was one of the biggest stars in the free market. After being linked to multiple teams, and reports emerging about his interest in joining the Pacers, Hayward joined Michael Jordan’s Charlotte Hornets.

Hayward signed a massive $120 million for four years deal with the Hornets. NBA analyst Skip Bayless was pretty vocal about his displeasure of MJ giving Hayward such a big money deal.

He said, “I’m sorry, but I’ve said Gordon Hayward is overrated since before he was drafted. If you’re paying him partly to be a demographic attraction, that’s your business. But if your object is strictly to win, Michael Jordan, you’re way overpaying Hayward.”

This move came as a big surprise to everyone. Till yesterday there were no rumors of any interest from the Hornets on Hayward.

Is Hayward another costly mistake by Michael Jordan?

Michael Jordan has been the owner of the Charlotte Hornets for ten years now. In these ten years the Hornets have made only two playoff appearances.

The Hornets have made a number of questionable decisions from drafting players like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Frank Kaminsky to bringing in players in lofty contracts.

Jordan and his Hornets have offered average players like Offering Tyrus Thomas a five-year deal worth $40 million. They even gave Nicolas Batum a max deal worth $120 million which is atrocious.

With Hayward, the team might be doing the same. There is no doubting the abilities of Gordon Hayward as a player. But considering his injury record the Hornets should have been more careful about their offer.

This deal is a total win for Hayward. But not a great move by the Hornets. The team is nowhere near the playoffs, and with this addition the maximum they could hope is to be the 8th seed.

This move for Hayward seems more like a move to make a statement that ‘we have a star with us’. Rather than this is player which will elevate us to the next level.