New York Knicks: Why the team was wise to pass on Gordon Hayward

The New York Knicks were reportedly interested in Gordon Hayward before he inked a deal in Charlotte.

In typical New York Knicks fashion, the franchise has spent the better part of the offseason swirling in rumors involving All-Star players. New York has been connected to stars such as Russell Westbrook, Victor Oladipo, DeMar DeRozan, Blake Griffin, and others. Additionally, another interesting target recently surfaced in reports: Boston forward Gordon Hayward.

For a time, it seemed as though New York was seriously pursuing the former All-Star. Then… the news broke. The Charlotte Hornets offered Hayward a massive four-year, $120 million contract to join newly acquired star LaMelo Ball in Buzz City. He signed. And I have to assume he signed quickly!

While adding an established player like Hayward would have been very useful for a rebuilding Knicks roster, the franchise was wise to step away from the bidding war.

Here’s why:

The Contract

To be clear, I was a proponent of a Hayward and New York union before the forward opted out of his contract in Boston. Despite his cap hit of $34 million over the final season of a massive four-year, $127 million dollar deal signed in 2017, I believed the presence of an go-to scorer and veteran leader was worth the single-season cost.

After all, the former Celtic recorded a respectable 17.5 points while shooting 50% from the floor during the season and bubble restart. This is even more impressive when one considers the fact that Hayward was locked on a deep roster with players like Jason Tatum, Jaylon Brown, and Kemba Walker all being superior options.

However, the moment that another mega-deal surfaced, it was in New York’s best interest to respectfully bow out. While some have called the Charlotte signing an historically bad move, it does make sense that a small market team like the Hornets would have to overpay to convince a star to join their franchise.

Passing on Hayward at that price may seem obvious at first glance. However, it has also since been reported that both the Celtics and Pacers also offered more than $100 million deals to the former Butler star. It would not have been inconceivable for the Knicks, who have lost out on so many notable free agents in recent memory, to have flexed their major-market muscles and landed their man.

Instead, the Knicks seem to be shifting their focus on creating cap flexibility while also setting their signs on acquiring a star at the top of the 2021 NBA Draft. While the nature of a draft lottery makes this a risky endeavor, it is a much better option that overpaying for a player with massive risks.

The Injury History

Speaking of the risks… There is one obvious reason a wise team would hesitate to offer such a large contract to Gordon Hayward: his injury history.

Despite showing encouraging glimpses of his former abilities, Hayward also carries notable injury concerns. After all, this is the same player who suffered one of the most serious and gruesome injuries in NBA history in 2017. He was also in and out of the lineup in 2019-2020, culminating with an ankle injury that forced him to leave the bubble during the league’s COVID induced restart.

His most major injury caused him to fall from a player averaging 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game to a measly 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists during his first full season back.

The harsh reality is that the former Utah star will always be one awkward landing or twisted joint away from disaster. While this true of any athlete, Hayward’s extensive and unique injury history means an absence could be significant. Depending on the nature of the injury, it could also be career altering.

Conclusion

Knicks’ president Leon Rose and company should be commended for their self control during negotiations. Anyone who has ever been in an Ebay or auction bidding war know how easy it is to get swept up in the moment.

While missing out on Hayward likely means the Knicks enter the 2021 season without an established star, it also allows to team to retain their likelihood of landing a top pick. Their financial situation is also healthy enough to reenter negotiations with notable free agents in future classes.

For the time being, the Knicks will have to focus their attention on developing their young core while strategically searching for a star who fits better with their long-term plans.