REPORT:Worriors has sent $120 million to sign a susperstar from….

When it comes to Warriors trade rumors, you have to believe that, given how things have gone for Steve Kerr’s team in the first quarter, anything is on the table, including a desperate move. Because, at 12-14 and 11th in the West, Golden State is in a precarious position. A trade for oft-injured and overpaid Charlotte forward Gordon Hayward would be desperate, but the Warriors are being linked to Hayward deals, according to The Athletic.

On its NBA Trade Big Board, the site has the Warriors listed as the “best fit” for Hayward.

It also makes sense. Hayward is a 6-foot-7 forward with versatile skills who can handle the ball, attack the basket, and shoot. He is averaging 15.2 points per game, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists (the second most in his career), while shooting 46.6% from the field and 36.2% from beyond the arc. All of those figures should pique the Warriors’ interest.

He is, however, 33 years old and has struggled to stay healthy since breaking his ankle in his first game with the Boston Celtics in 2017. Hayward has appeared in 290 games out of 574 since 2017, missing nearly half of those games. If he stays healthy, he’ll be an excellent fit for the Warriors. But there is a big “if.”

Oh, and the cost is another number that puts a damper on this or any Warriors trade rumors. The Hornets signed Hayward to a four-year, $120 million contract in 2020. He is currently in the final year of that $31.5 million contract.

If the Hornets are willing to take back Chris Paul, a North Carolina native who may welcome the move, Hayward would be an easy swap for the Warriors. Golden State would have to add something to sweeten the deal, either draft capital in the second round or a prospect (Gui Santos?) that Charlotte can develop.

Sam Vecenie, a writer for The Athletic, put it this way:

“Since the team signed Gordon Hayward to a four-year, $120 million contract in 2020, the Gordon Hayward era in Charlotte has not been fruitful.” There are numerous reasons for this, ranging from Hayward’s own injury history to the injuries of LaMelo Ball and others. Now, with Hayward in the final year of his contract and Ball out for an extended period of time due to an ankle injury, the Hornets are outside of the Play-In Tournament.

“For his part, Hayward has been a valuable secondary playmaker on offense this season while committing few turnovers.” His shooting has strangely dropped off across the board, and he hasn’t been much of a force on defense either.”

Still, Hayward’s shooting hasn’t been all that bad, and it’s certainly not worse than Paul’s 40.0% this season. Adding his size to the Warriors lineup as a secondary ballhandler makes a lot more sense than having the 6-foot Paul in that role.

However, it is unclear whether the Hornets will attempt to trade Hayward at all. Despite the fact that the season has already been a disaster due to off-court issues and Ball’s injury, Charlotte has never wanted to embark on a full rebuild, in part because the team does not want to waste Ball’s seasons with the team. However, Hayward will not be enough to propel this team into playoff contention.

There is also speculation in the league that the Hornets will buy out Hayward after the trade deadline. However, Charlotte has little incentive to do so.

As a result, he’s a name to keep an eye on as trade rumors swirl around the Warriors. He isn’t a perfect solution to the Dubs’ problems. But he might be able to assist.