Hornets GM opens up about Gordon Hayward, his review of LaMelo Ball, Charlotte’s needs
Charlotte Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak loves what Gordon Hayward is doing.
However, Kupchak doesn’t expect Hayward to post 39-point games consistently. It’s not sustainable.
“Quite frankly, I don’t want to see him playing 38 minutes a game and scoring 35 to 38 points a game. I think that’s too much” to ask, Kupchak told The Observer on Monday.
“We need to get him help. Whether that comes from (improvement) within — which is what I hope — or, more challenging, to get help from” trades or signings.
The Hornets were 7-9 entering Monday’s rematch with the Orlando Magic. Sunday, the Hornets ended a four-game losing streak when Hayward broke down the Magic’s Evan Fournier off the dribble for a left-handed layup with 0.7 seconds left.
It was the fifth time in Hayward’s 10-plus NBA seasons that he scored a game-winner in the final five seconds. Hayward finished with 39 points, his fourth game of 34 or more in his last eight.
The Hornets offered Hayward $120 million over four years to come to Charlotte. Kupchak says he didn’t originally think Hayward would opt out of the last season of his Boston Celtics contract (a guaranteed $34 million), or choose the Hornets once he did.
Now, he’s Charlotte’s best player with a greatly expanded role. Kupchak just doesn’t want to burn him up with such heavy usage.
Hayward is tied for 21st in the NBA in minutes played, at 34.9 per game, with Sacramento’s Harrison Barnes.
He has been elite in scoring efficiency: Synergy Sports charts him as No. 5 in the NBA, among high-volume scorers, averaging 1.14 points per possession when he is the Hornets’ shooter.
Hayward craved this expanded role, after being the fourth or fifth option in Boston last season. Kupchak appreciates that; he just wants to be sure they don’t burn him up.
“Being ‘the guy’ here, with the freedom to do things that maybe he couldn’t do in Boston,” Kupchak said of Hayward’s role as a Hornet. “The talent (in Charlotte) is different. I hope that one day we have that talent — that problem (sorting out shot distribution and roles.). But right now, we’re still developing.”
Kupchak on the Hornets roster:
LaMelo Ball review
LaMelo Ball’s statistics so far don’t surprise Kupchak. But there is a presence about Ball that Kupchak finds rare among rookies.
“I don’t think there have been any surprises about what he can do on the court,” Kupchak said. “But he does have a unique confidence that is maybe a little bit more than we expected.”
Kupchak said Ball was probably more ready for the NBA because he played overseas against professionals in Lithuania and Australia before being selected No. 3 in the draft.
“The guys in those leagues, they’re 22 to 35 years old. They may not have NBA athleticism, but you’re talking about players who compete, and are big, strong men,” Kupchak said. “That’s going to be a challenge for a 6-7 high school kid to match up with these guys.”
On Miles Bridges’ new role ...
Kupchak said shifting Bridges from starting small forward to second-unit power forward has worked out for both the team and Bridges.
“Miles can play 3 (small forward), but I think he’s just as effective, if not more, at the 4,” Kupchak said.
On potential roster needs ...
“We’re still in the assessing mode. It’s a little early,” to make changes, said Kupchak, who has an open roster spot and roughly $5 million in space under the salary cap.
“After maybe 20 games, we’ll have a better feel for what our team looks like and what our needs might be.”
This story was originally published January 25, 2021 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Hornets GM opens up about Gordon Hayward, his review of LaMelo Ball, Charlotte’s needs."
