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Ranking the top 50 NBA players of the 2021-2022 season: 50-41

By Corey Rausch

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 29: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles between Malcolm Brogdon #7 and Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers during the third quarter of their game at Spectrum Center on January 29, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 29: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles between Malcolm Brogdon #7 and Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers during the third quarter of their game at Spectrum Center on January 29, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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NBA (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
NBA (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /

Top 50 NBA players ranked: 44. Gordon Hayward

Previous Rank: NA

When Gordon Hayward joined the Charlotte Hornets plenty of fans and media outlets alike made jokes about being overpaid and not the same player that he used to be. Albeit in a limited sample last season due to injuries, Hayward showed that he may be able to get back to the level he once played at with his new change of scenery.

Simply put, this was Hayward’s best statistical season since his last year with the Utah Jazz. In 44 games, the former All-Star averaged 19.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He knocked down 41.5 percent of his 3-point attempts last season on 4.7 attempts per game. Injuries are always going to be part of the consideration with Hayward. Since his catastrophic injury at the start of his first season with the Boston Celtics, he has only appeared in more than 52 games once.

Hayward was clearly the most comfortable he had been in years in the early part of last season. He is the veteran for a promising young core headlined by the reigning Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball. If Hayward can avoid any nagging injuries this season it is easy to project him making his first All-Star appearance in the Eastern Conference.