Hornets looking to trade Gordon Hayward, Kyle Lowry

Per Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Hornets are trying to trade small forward Gordon Hayward and point guard Kyle Lowry, acquired in the Terry Rozier trade with the Miami Heat.

Lowry, 37, has yet to appear in a game with Charlotte and the possibility exists that he could agree to a contract buyout.

“League sources say Charlotte is actively trying to re-trade Kyle Lowry and construct a Gordon Hayward deal before the Feb. 8 trade buzzer sounds,” Stein wrote. “It would be premature, however, to presume that both players are headed to the buyout market if no trade materializes in either case. A buyout can certainly be considered likely when it comes to Lowry. … Hayward, however, is a different story. Sources say that Hayward is far less likely than Lowry to seek a buyout in the event Charlotte is unsuccessful in trading him.”

The Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers are among those interested in signing Lowry should he agree to a buyout.

Lowry is averaging 8.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.1 steals, shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 38.5 percent on 3-pointers. He carries NBA career averages of 14.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.3 steals with the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors and Heat.

Meanwhile, Hayward is averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.1 steals, shooting 46.8 percent from the floor and 36.1 on threes.

Hayward is currently out with a left calf strain and is making $31.5 million this season, the final year of his deal. He has career averages of 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.0 steals with the Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics and Hornets.

Charlotte (10-34) reportedly has made everyone available except point guard LaMelo Ball, rookie forward Brandon Miller and center Mark Williams. The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 8.