Hornets to waive Nic Batum to create cap space for Gordon Hayward

It's official. The Boston Celtics will receive nothing in return for the departure of Gordon Hayward. 

Hayward signed a four-year, $120 million deal with the Charlotte Hornets. In order to create cap space for that deal to become reality, the Hornets plan to waive Nicolas Batum, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. The Hornets will use the NBA's stretch provision to spread the cap implications of Batum's remaining $27 million contract over three seasons. 

It's not surprising to see Hayward move on from Boston, where his career was derailed by multiple injuries over the course of three seasons. The 30-year-old needs a fresh start, and Charlotte is a great place to turn his career in the right direction. 

The Hornets just selected LaMelo Ball third overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, and Hayward will join a roster that includes Terry Rozier, Miles Bridges, Devonte' Graham and Cody Zeller, among others. 

Despite his career in Boston being rather underwhelming, Hayward still managed to average 17.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game last season while shooting 50 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from beyond the arc.

While the amount of money Hayward received from Charlotte certainly is questionable, he has a great opportunity to help a younger team steer things in the right direction.