Ranking the top remaining free agents for the Phoenix Suns to sign
By Matt Escobar
1. Gordon Hayward
Despite making $30 million last year, Gordon Hayward finds himself on the minimum market because of his brutal transition to a bench role after being traded to Oklahoma City for their playoff run. Hayward, who had put together a typical season for himself starting every game in Charlotte, saw his numbers drop before falling out of the rotation after the trade.
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Hayward may not have been able to get on track in OKC, but his performance before being traded shows that that was more to do with fit, rather than declining skills. In 25 games with the Hornets, Hayward averaged 14.5/4.7/4.6.
That ability to impact the game in so many ways is what’s so appealing about Hayward. Aside from giving the Suns a bench player that can create his own shot, he can also create for others as a secondary ball-handler. That’s the role he thrives in, and being moved out of it in OKC explains his performance drop.