PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 24: Michael Jordan attends a press conference before the NBA Paris Game match between Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks on January 24, 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
Michael Jordan is the GOAT on the court, but the WOAT in the front office.
MJ’s tenure as Charlotte Hornets owner hasn’t gone according to plan. Buzz City is frequently near the bottom of the East standings and is taken advantage of in trades and free agent deals. Look no further than Gordon Hayward’s contract, which he signed on Saturday. Charlotte is paying Hayward $30 million per season for four years, far more than he’s worth at this juncture of his career. It’s great news for Hayward, but a tough break for Hornets fans that want to see their franchise put the best possible product on the court.
Hayward is still a solid enough player, and someone has to score for the Hornets. But it remains a stain on Jordan’s resume and now his checkbook.
Social media came after MJ for another brutal contract, this time handed out to Gordon Hayward
This is the same team that gave Nicolas Batum a near-max contract, so it’s not surprising to see them over-spending on a past-prime Hayward. The Hornets could be a fun team to watch next season, and if you forget a second about the payroll, they’re worth the League Pass package. LaMelo Ball on the court with Hayward and Devonta Graham makes for an intriguing young team.
Is that enough to compete for a playoff spot in the East? For Jordan’s sake, we hope so.