As we approach the end of the calendar year, a handful of NBA teams have separated themselves from the pack, whether it’s those at the top who are legit championship contenders, or a handful of teams destined to watch the postseason on TV.
One team unlikely to make the postseason is the Charlotte Hornets. They are 7-18 (.280) going into Wednesday’s game against Indiana. Charlotte is 3.5 games out of the final spot in the NBA’s play-in tournament and their chances do not bode well for their fans or for those who would back the Hornets when NC sports betting launches in 2024.
Charlotte, despite its on-court futility, possesses one of the crown jewels of the sport’s trade circuit. Veteran swingman Gordon Hayward could change teams before the NBA’s Feb. 8 trade deadline.
Hayward hasn’t been electric this season. At 15.2 points per game, and shooting 76.7% on free throws and 36.2% from 3-point range, he’s slightly below his career averages in all three categories (15.5 ppg, 82.4% FT and 36.9% on 3s). But the 33-year-old forward is still likely to be a hot commodity on the market between now and February.
With that in mind, BetCarolina.com broke down the odds on where Hayward will play next. There are some championship contenders among the list of suitors to obtain the veteran out of Butler.
Gordon Hayward Next Team Odds
Who Might Acquire Gordon Hayward
Even when legal North Carolina sports betting apps are live, you won’t find these odds with operators, only at BetCarolina.com.
According to our projections, Hayward’s No. 1 possible destination is South Beach, with the Miami Heat leading all teams on our list at +450 odds, which translates to an 18.2% chance. The Golden State Warriors (+500), L.A. Lakers and Dallas Mavericks (+700 apiece) are the next closest teams.
Outside of those three teams, keep an eye on the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers to land Hayward, with both sitting at +1000 to trade for the veteran by the deadline for deals.
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Of the six teams listed, the 76ers (18-8 going into Wednesday) and Mavericks (16-10) are in the best playoff position, with Philly holding the No. 3 spot in the East and Dallas sitting alongside the L.A. Clippers in fifth spot in the Western Conference.
Outside of that, the Heat, Cavaliers and Lakers are in the best position, with 15-12 records and sitting well inside their respective leagues’ postseason brackets. Of the bunch, oddsmakers from ESPN BET list the 76ers (+1200), Lakers (+1500), Mavericks (+2500), Warriors (+3000) and Cavaliers (+5000) atop the operator’s NBA title odds board, making the chase for Hayward’s services a tantalizing one as the deadline draws closer.
When sports betting launches in the state, find the best NC sportsbook promos at BetCarolina.com.
