NBA Rumors: Gordon Hayward Won't Seek Hornets Contract Buyout If Not Traded

Gordon Hayward will reportedly either be traded ahead of Thursday's 3 p.m. ET deadline or finish the rest of the season on the Charlotte Hornets.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the forward will not seek a buyout from the Hornets if they do not trade him.

Hayward is playing on the final season of his contract and hasn't appeared in a game since Dec. 26 because of a calf injury. Yet he is someone who could provide scoring depth for a contender down the stretch if a rebuilding Charlotte team decides to move a different direction.

But it seems like such contenders will have to trade for him if that's what they want.

Hayward, who turns 34 in March, isn't quite the same player he was when he averaged 21.9 points per game as an All-Star in 2016-17 for the Utah Jazz, but he can still extend his game beyond the arc and put up solid numbers.

He is averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists while shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from deep in 25 games this season.

He appears close to a return from injury as well and is someone who will surely be monitored ahead of the trade deadline.