For people questioning the Hayward offer sheet....

[carolina-chuck]

This is the exact reason Jordan wanted Chi to handle contracts. With his experience Cho can create loopholes that make it difficult to match. If one of these loopholes is what hampers Utah's plans on matching it's a move well played.

Guess Cho is a genius!

Making that contract to where Utah won't be able to trade GH this year would probably just force Utah not to match it.

[PiratePanther189]

It's win-win for Charlotte, honestly. Utah doesn't match, we get a great all-around player that puts us in position to be a top team in the conference. Utah does, it's on to the next one, and it puts the Hornets in the news as a player for FA's and lets players know "Hey, these guys are really willing to pay max"

 

Hayward is a guy that feeds off of a player like Al, that's what people don't get. He's a great defender, good when cutting to the hoop, and a good spot-up shooter. He doesn't do all too great at creating his own shots, and that's fine because not many good 2-3 wings have to be.

 

One big reason that Utah got the 8 seed and made the playoffs a few years ago was because of the Al Jefferson-Gordon Hayward connection, and that was in the West with a much less talented team. Jefferson, Hayward, and Kemba is a solid young foundation that will surprise people. Look at Toronto for god sakes. Look at Kyle Lowry and DeMar Derozen's shooting percentages.

 

People have to realize that the Owner, GM, and Coach are all on the same page for the first time in a very long time for this team. Everyone here knows what they're getting.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Utah will match so it's a moot point. 

 

I think you may be right but they will look very stupid in doing so.  Apparently they were talking about a long term deal last October but they could not get together on a a number.  Utah was offering 12 and Hayward wanted 13.  Now they have to pay him 15+ to keep him. 

[CarolinaNCSU]

A part of this that may have been said but I'll say if not...

 

Big Al probably has at least been asked about Hayward I would assume. Clearly he would like playing with Hayward, and it would provide him some incentive to stay as well when his contract is up. Adding a young guy with upside, who has already performed well, while keeping your current stars happy? Sign me up. 

[Jackofalltrades]

Utah will match so it's a moot point.

So they've said, could be a bluff. We'll find out soon.

[ckad79]

For those complaining about the Hornets' front office offering Hayward what they did, I don't get it. The team had to go in strong to have a realistic shot at getting him to sign. If we offered him $13/m a year, 100% chance the Jazz match it. I believe at $16/m, we moved the odds in our favor.

 

Look, I really wanted Stephenson but let's be real about this. For one, Hayward played with Al, he's a team guy that can score, and that means a lot with chemistry. Secondly, do you really believe that the Hornets could land Stephenson? Think about it. Right now, everybody is sort of holding their breath on Lebron and Carmelo. The Bulls, Lakers, Rockets, Mavs are all in play here. They each want one of these guys. If something happens to Lebron, they'll turn their attention to Melo. If something happens to Melo, they'll turn their attention to Lebron. At the end of the day, if Lebron or Melo are gone, they will blow money on their cash on their third option which is Stephenson.

 

The way I see it, the Lakers for instance are talking to Melo and Lebron it sets up a scenario. If neither chooses LA, the Lakers will then throw the max at Stephenson. At the end of the day, Stephenson is waiting on Lebron and Melo's decision because that's guaranteed money with the Lakers. Let's also assume Stephenson gets offers from both Charlotte and/or the Lakers, New York, Dallas, etc. Even if all teams offer the max, you really think he chooses a smaller market size like Charlotte over a big one? No way.

 

I believe MJ and company know this. They see the chips falling with Melo likely going to Chicago or New York, Lebron staying in Miami and then a frustrated LA team throwing every penny at Stephenson. I just don't see a scenario where Stephenson comes to Charlotte. At the end of the day, I believe the Hornets' front office knows the chance of getting Stephensen wasn't going to happen and their most realistic option, to find a scorer, was Hayward.

 

Again, to make it happen... we had to show a solid deck to Utah. $16/m is what it took. We can argue all day that Stephensen was a better player but he didn't even schedule a time to interview with us. He has his mind set on LA, and is just waiting for Lebron to stay in south beach and the Lakers to call him when that happens. End of story.

 

I bet if the Jazz do match our office sheet, we will not land a better free agent this year. This is really our best opportunity, like it or not.

 

[carolina-chuck]

For those complaining about the Hornets' front office offering Hayward what they did, I don't get it. The team had to go in strong to have a realistic shot at getting him to sign. If we offered him $13/m a year, 100% chance the Jazz match it. I believe at $16/m, we moved the odds in our favor.

Look, I really wanted Stephenson but let's be real about this. For one, Hayward played with Al, he's a team guy that can score, and that means a lot with chemistry. Secondly, do you really believe that the Hornets could land Stephenson? Think about it. Right now, everybody is sort of holding their breath on Lebron and Carmelo. The Bulls, Lakers, Rockets, Mavs are all in play here. They each want one of these guys. If something happens to Lebron, they'll turn their attention to Melo. If something happens to Melo, they'll turn their attention to Lebron. At the end of the day, if Lebron or Melo are gone, they will blow money on their cash on their third option which is Stephenson.

The way I see it, the Lakers for instance are taking to Melo and Lebron. If neither chooses LA, the Lakers will then throw the max at Stephenson. At the end of the day, Stephenson is waiting on Lebron and Melo's decision because that's guaranteed money with the Lakers. Let's also assume Stephenson gets offers from both Charlotte and/or the Lakers, New York, Dallas, etc. Even if all teams offer the max, you really think he chooses a smaller market size like Charlotte over a big one? No way.

I believe MJ and company know this. They see the clips falling with Melo likely going to Chicago or New York, Lebron staying in Miami and then a frustrated LA team throwing every penny at Stephenson. I just don't see a scenario where Stephenson comes to Charlotte. At the end of the day, I believe the Hornets' front office knows the chance of getting Stephensen wasn't going to happen and their most realistic option, to find a scorer, was Hayward.

Again, to make it happen... we had to show a solid deck to Utah. $16/m is what it took. We can argue all day that Stephensen was a better player but he didn't even schedule a time to interview with us. He has his mind set on LA, and is just waiting for Lebron to stay in south beach and the Lakers to call him when that happens. End of story.

I bet if the Jazz do match our office sheet, we will not land a better free agent this year. This is really our best opportunity, like it or not.

If we wanted Lance, we would've went with Lance first. Give him $11-13 mil and done deal. It has nothing to do with Lance not wanting to come here. He will probably end up with a smaller contract than what we just gave to GH.

GH is just the safer and better all around player. We needed a shooter not a slasher in Lance. GH's percentage dropped each year but that's bc each year he had to carry more load. He's a better shooter than Lance.

[yasuhara2241]

To be fair we don't know if Cho tried to set up a meeting with Lance but was declined. Also McBob not resigning freed up an extra 5-6m they were expecting to spend. The max was the only way to go, good or bad.

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[Gay Cowboy]

I think you may be right but they will look very stupid in doing so. Apparently they were talking about a long term deal last October but they could not get together on a a number. Utah was offering 12 and Hayward wanted 13. Now they have to pay him 15+ to keep him.

They've also been talking to his agent trying to work out a deal this summer, too.

[ckad79]

If we wanted Lance, we would've went with Lance first. Give him $11-13 mil and done deal. It has nothing to do with Lance not wanting to come here. He will probably end up with a smaller contract than what we just gave to GH.

 

We give Stephenson $13/m a year and believe me, the Lakers match that if they loose out on Lebron or Melo. LA wants Stephensen, they are just waiting to see what happens wtih the two biggest free agents (like a lot of other big markets are doing).

 

The Lakers know that Kobe needs help and they will blow money on somebody. If not, Lebron or Melo, then Stephenson. At the end of the day, we won't get into a biding war with LA because even if we beat them by $2 million a season, Lance will likely make more than that with endorsements by playing in LA. Small markets normally loose out to big markets, especially with guys like Lance.

 

Charlotte had to go after a team guy first, spotlight guy last and Hayward was the best option. Wish it didn't take $16/m a year but like I said, if played a weaker hand to Utah, no way he stays. I like our chances now. Nothing is guaranteed, but I think the extra $2 million a year against another small market, gives us the edge. 

[dunnlx]

Don't Lance and that punk ass Kobe beef play the same position?

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[Its The Milk]

Does Hayward have a choice? Let's say Utah does match...does that mean he HAS to go to Utah? If he has 2 identical offers can he choose?

[carolina-chuck]

Does Hayward have a choice? Let's say Utah does match...does that mean he HAS to go to Utah? If he has 2 identical offers can he choose?

Nope.

[carpanfan96]

Does Hayward have a choice? Let's say Utah does match...does that mean he HAS to go to Utah? If he has 2 identical offers can he choose?

He's a RFA and once he signs he can only play for Charlotte or Utah under the offer sheet.

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