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Houston Rockets Rumors: Gordon Hayward should be targeted in the future

By Kenneth Cline

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 16: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Toronto Raptors on January 16, 2019 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 16: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Toronto Raptors on January 16, 2019 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Houston Rockets target
Gordon Hayward of the Houston Rockets (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Flash Gordon

Doing research of this, I came across an entry about the predictions for the top 10 NBA free agents of 2019 and free agents of 2020 and their destinations. Number eleven on the list was Gordon Hayward to the Houston Rockets. When reading the reasons why this, two things come to mind.

One, they don’t provide much data to their information to back up. I know that particular feeling having failed to back up my thoughts with qualitative data in past entries. But two, they summarize by saying Hayward has increased in rebounds (4.7) and assists (3.7) per game. Yet his greatest feature is his ability to score.

Of course, the old cliche of a guy who can score. The Houston Rockets already have a guy who is putting up ridiculous numbers while carrying his team without key members. Right now, Harden is averaging 35.4 points per game. The guy in second? Capela at 17.6 ppg. But he’s hurt now. So next in line? Eric Gordon with 15.8 ppg.

Adding Hayward might seem like adding just another scorer. But he does possess stats that, if he were an option now, would help benefit the team. Per 36 minutes this season, he’s averaging 15.0 ppg and 6.4 rebounds per game. There are seven guys on the Houston Rockets current squad with a higher scoring average. But four of those seven in Capela (18.5 ppg), Paul (16.9 ppg), Anthony (16.4 ppg), and Michael Carter-Williams (17.1 ppg) are either injured or traded.

More. Three guys who need to step up while Capela is out. light

What about 100 possessions per game? Well, Hayward is averaging 20.3 ppg along with 8.6 rpg. Where does he rank among the Rockets? Seven Rockets have higher scoring averages. But, as it was just stated, four of those guys aren’t stepping foot on the hardwood right now.

But that’s just the regular season. What about in the playoffs? Hayward’s been in the playoffs twice with the Utah Jazz. But his second trip was his best as he averaged 24.1 ppg to lead the Jazz in scoring. He also guided them to the Western Conference Semifinals, where they fell against the Warriors.

By adding Hayward, you’re looking at a lineup with a backcourt of Harden and Paul joining forces with Hayward, Capela, and PJ Tucker running the frontcourt. That starting five would combine to average 72.5 ppg amongst them, which is more than the 55.1 ppg the starters the Houston Rockets out against the Brooklyn Nets average.

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