Since entering the offseason, many teams have found their favorite candidates in the free agent market, and even some veterans have been appreciated for their rich experience and immediate ability. But for Hayward, who has been in the league for 13 years, it is still unknown where his next contract will be. The veteran, once hailed as the league's top small forward, can only wait quietly for the arrival of a new contract.
Hayward was traded to the Thunder during the regular season last season, and the Thunder originally wanted to use him as a secret weapon in the playoffs. Even though Hayward did not play much in the regular season, the Thunder still I am willing to give him some time to adapt to the team's tactical system. However, after entering the playoffs, Hayward was still out of shape, averaging only 0 points, 1.9 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game, completely failing to provide help when the Thunder needed him.
Hayward is disliked by everyone now, but when he first entered the league, he was regarded as the most promising star. At that time, Hayward attracted people's attention with his comprehensive style of play. Especially in a league dominated by black players, Hayward showed explosive power that was rare among white players and was not afraid of physical confrontation. In the Utah Jazz team at the time, Hayward was regarded as the core of the team's reconstruction, and he was even known as "White James".
The reason why Hayward can be known as "White James" is because his skills are as comprehensive as James. Hayward can not only break through with the ball, but also instigate the team's offense. He can also shoot three-pointers when he is trapped in a positional battle. This comprehensive performance has once made Hayward a competition for many teams. . After playing 13 seasons in his career, Hayward earned a total of US$240 million in contracts by virtue of such a comprehensive style of play.
But now that the NBA has entered the small ball era after all, Hayward's more traditional style of play still makes him lack offensive extensibility. As more and more players in the league start shooting three-pointers, Hayward is also facing changes in his style of play. However, so far in his career, Hayward has rarely guaranteed a high three-point shooting percentage, and even his mid-range shots have remained stable, and this "stability" has become Hayward's only weapon. Only in the 2021-22 season, Hayward shot more than 57% from the 16-foot range. In other seasons, his mid-range shots never exceeded 50%.
Although Hayward's mid-range shot is stable enough, his glass attributes really cannot reassure the team. As early as when he was playing for the Jazz, Hayward often suffered minor injuries. In his first game after joining the Celtics, Hayward suffered a serious injury and was directly reimbursed for the season. Since then, Hayward has started to "maintain health", but his competitiveness in the league has also declined, and he has become a "glass man" in people's eyes.
As the reinforcements of each team are basically completed, there are fewer and fewer competitive players in the free agent market. Veterans like Hayward can only accept a veteran job if they want to continue playing in the NBA. Minimum salary contract. If no one cares about him after the start of the new season, Hayward is likely to exit the stage of history.
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