Gordon Hayward (Butler)
6'8, SF, 215 lbs.
Butler's versatility and skill helped Butler become a dominant team this year. Hayward, while not an amazing athlete, is a solid athlete, with good north and south speed, solid hops, a good shot, good handles, and a grittiness that all coaches love. At 6'8 Hayward played power forward for Butler which worked to his advantage, but needs to transition to small forward at the Pro Level.
Hayward plays effectively with the ball in his hands. He creates his own shot and scores using a variety of moves including mid-range fade-aways and pull-up jumpers or passes out to teammates for better shots. Hayward plays with a very high basketball IQ, but penetrating against small-forwards might prove too challenging at the next level against NBA caliber SFs. To be effective in the NBA, he'll need to add more muscle and learn to add some creativity shots, but even if successful won't be the dominant shot creator he was at the college level.
As a freshman he dominated as a shooter from the three point line and all over the court, but in his sophomore year his three point percentage fell to 30%. Hayward's three point shooting was much better when allowed to catch and shoot rather than when he played as the on all #1 option for the Butler offense. The catch and shoot role fits what he'll do at the next level, so if he can show he's successful in workouts from the NBA three point line in that role it will help him considerably.
If not creating or shooting open jumpers, Hayward's hustle allows for him to get offensive rebounds and I expect that to translate to the NBA. A lot of rebounding depends on the will to want it and Hayward has a great motor.
Overall, he's a skilled player that offers a lot at the next level. He needs to prove he's a shooter in the NBA, bulk up, become more creative, and transition back into a role player, but he has the makings of a solid glue guy.
Defensively, Hayward lacks the athleticism to be more than average at the next level. He doesn't possess the lateral quickness, but he plays with good fundamentals defending angles well.. He makes good decisions defending teh pick and roll, and while he's unlikely to generate many steals, he rebounds well for a small forward.
How does his game translate to the NBA?
Hayward to me, is going to be a solid small-forward for years to come as he is good at most facets of the game along with a high iQ and motor. His upside is probably limited to a 15 ppg scorer, 5 rebounds per game, 3 assists, and solid defense. He needs to bulk up though in order to adjust the NBA rigors and I expect he will not be NBA ready for 2 years.
Considering this is a deep draft, Hayward could go anywhere from late lottery to late first. He is one of those guys that would be a great glue guy for a good playoff team consideration, but not much more.
How does he fit in with the Bulls?
Right now, at pick 17, I would rather draft somebody that offers a specific skill that the Bulls are in need of, or the upside to take a risk on. With Luol Deng being a solid player at the same position, I think Hayward, even with a different skillset, would not provide the team with much more support than what Deng does. I would not be extremely upset if he is picked as I think he will be a solid player at the next level, but I would rather look elsewhere.
Filed under: Draft Coverage
Tags: 2010 nba draft, chicago bulls, Gordon Hayward, profile, small forward
To Bulls: Jeff Foster, Solomon Jones and #10 Pick (Paul George)
To Pacers: Kirk Hinrich and #17 pick (Gordon Hayward)
How perfect would that be?
I dont want jones or Foster. That would eat into our cap space for two players who suck and a rookie. I'd much rather just wait to see who falls to us. Ala Anderson or Henry.
I am not a big fan of him but I am of his skills. Not a bad player and having a shooter off the bench who plays with intensity would be good and a good fit. However he doesnt seem to fit our current team since we already have a more motivated JJ and Deng and I think we wanted to being back alexander for the min to fill out the roster.
If we moved JJ or Deng then I would have no problem, but I dont think Hayward can play anything but the 3 and thats not what we need. Also, I dont think he will fall to us. And if I was looking for a three, I personally think Babbit would probably be a better overall player than Hayward.
I just hope the Bulls watch the interviews with Dominique Jones and Luke Babbitt on DraftExpress(along with the time they spent with Dominique in Chicago). These guys besides having the talent, have the oustanding personalities/presence you see from successes in the elite NBA. Draft both of these guys if you can. They are winners and great young guys to put into the mix with D-Rose and Noah. Ekpe Udoh also being on that great young kids/winners list.
yeah, all three of these would be great picks. Right now though, you could trade down and get Jones; which would be a steal.
Thanks!
I want nothing to do with Gordon Hayward...personally i think he is WAY TO SMALL to do anything in the league. Just watching some of his college games, he gets pushed around all the time. He doesnt have very good lower body strength. Let someone else draft this bust. lol Good profile work though Kevin!
I don't think he will be a bust if he is on the right team. He is only 20 and has added significant strength in the last two years. I almost envision him as a Kirk Hinrich as a Small Forward.
Nice job on the profiles kevin.
I think you should do Orton soon. I am not big on project bigs but his size alone would help us tremendously if we missed out on the Big three. Plus I am much higher on him than Whiteside. He is a banger and can throw it down and grab boards. Teach him to box out and he will be huge for us. Only if the big three are gone of course.
Yeah, Orton, and I'd like to see Alabi. And do you have any plans to get Mikhail Torrance in? I know he's not high on anyone's board, but he's my sleeper this year. I think he's a bit of NBA coaching away from being truly ambidextrous with the ball. He'd make a good backup 1/2 for us if we buy a 2nd rounder.
I plan on getting as many people as I can. Torrance will be in probably later June, but is a good sleeper!
I forgot to say that Torrance is a big-time sleeper by the way and I can see him creeping up!
Yea, he suppose to be one of the best shooters in the entire draft. Check it out.
http://www.nbadraft.net/nba-draft-combine-shooting-drill-results
While that is good, I don't always get big things out of open practice shooting.
Certainly better than I expected, since his shot is pretty flat. Hopefully it's a sign of likely improvement and extension of range.
If he can hit his outside shots consistently and learn to finish with his right, he's going to be dangerous. He just has such a knack for forcing rotations with his drives and making the defense pay.
+2 ya i guess i can agree with you on Hayward there. He should be a decent role player...make some open shots...i just see the toughness in him that will help him suceed lol I can see it now....If KG lined up against him...i think Hayward would just fold lol
BUT ya...deff. do a Orton profile. Like another poster said his size would be HUGE for us. We need the beef downlow. He could also bring a Kendrick Perkins like affect for our team.
I will get on Motiejunas, Orton, and Seraphin (what I know of him) soon. I am intrigued by Seraphin (I will say that).
Kevin Seraphin too....i have no idea who that guy is but he keeps going up draft boards.
I would like to see one on Alabi, he is my pick at 17. We are a small team at every position, and we really need to add some size up front, even if Asik comes.
Anthony Morrow has to be as good or better than anyone we could draft as a 3 point shooting 2 guard. But we can't find a free agent who is a legitmate 7 footer(Alabi is the tallest, longest guy in the draft). Brendan Haywood(whom I wanted to trade Thomas for)might be available, but he will probably cost at least the mid level, so we can't afford him.
I wanted BJ Mullens last year for the same reasons, we need a quality backup for Noah, as well as someone who can play together with Noah at 4 for short periods of time.
Alabi is alright...i think he will be a little more of a project then anything. His game is just very raw, not that fluid. Just my opinion though...i wouldnt mind picking him in the 2nd round. We just have to buy a 2nd rounder though lol
Well, he's a really high motor guy like Noah is, which you can just never have enough of. I think he can come in right away and contribute on the glass and defensively, but he has more potential with a 15-18 footer than Noah ever has. I think he could come in and give us what Taj did last year (just off the bench behind Bosh), if Taj goes in a sign and trade. And he has a much higher ceiling than Taj.
He will be up in the next few days!
James Johnson is more talented, but this kid is more of a natural shooter, has a higher IQ, and a good team player. Johnson could be a lot better though.