3 reasons why the Lakers are completely wrong about Gordon Hayward

By Jason Reed | Apr 18, 2022

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 26: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts following a call during the second half of the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Spectrum Center on November 26, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

2. Gordon Hayward is no more injury-prone than the stars already on the Lakers

Gordon Hayward had a really bad injury with the Boston Celtics in his first game after signing a contract with the team. That injury essentially ruined his tenure with the Celtics as he missed substantial time.

Hayward has missed time since then, including last season, which has done nothing to shake the injury-prone label. While it is easy to point at Hayward and call him injury-prone, it is rather inconsistent as he is no more injury-prone than the stars who the Lakers are already committed to.

Over the last four seasons, Hayward has played 23 more games than Anthony Davis (which includes having eight fewer games in 2019-20 as the Hornets did not make the Orlando bubble). LeBron James, meanwhile, has only played six more games than Hayward in that same stretch.

That is not to say that there are no inherent risks of adding Hayward, but the risks are just as high if not higher with the other stars that the Lakers are already committed to. So why scoff at the idea of bringing in Hayward, especially when the team can limit his play in the regular season to keep him healthy?

It likely has to do with the fact that Russell Westbrook is on an expiring contract while Hayward has two more years left on his deal. However, that might be ill-advised thinking by the Lakers.

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