The morning of the NBA trade deadline witnessed a significant move by the Oklahoma City Thunder as they secured the services of experienced guard Gordon Hayward. In this exchange, OKC managed to retain their key players.

Oklahoma City Thunder has been performing exceptionally well this season, and just ahead of the 3 p.m. ET trade deadline, they made one of the most substantial acquisitions.

Before noon on Thursday, OKC obtained veteran swingman Gordon Hayward from the Charlotte Hornets, sending guard Tre Mann and forward David Bertans in return. As the top seed in the west, the Thunder are actively making moves to strengthen their position for the upcoming playoffs.

Hayward, who will become an unrestricted free agent this summer, is in the final year of his 4-year, $120 Million contract signed with Charlotte in 2020. Hayward’s tenure in Boston was marred by a season-ending injury in his Celtics debut after being traded during the 2017-2018 season. He eventually moved to Charlotte in free agency three years later.

Approximately 14 months after joining Charlotte, the wingman hinted at his desire to “maximize” his complete basketball potential. In other words, he aspired to become the focal point in Charlotte.

It’s interesting to see him coming full circle, having shared the court with high-profile athletes like Kyrie Irving, Al Horford, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart. Now, he is set to join an inspiring and well-stocked OKC team.

Several worries stem from potential injuries

PRIME GORDON HAYWARD 🔥🔥🔥#CTArşiv #StayAtHome pic.twitter.com/71up0VTL5k

— Clutch Time (@ClutchPage) March 20, 2020

Having been a frequent starter every season since his rookie year, and for the second season in Boston, can Hayward embrace a bench role? He has started a total of 646 times in his 809 career games, including all 25 games this season. Perhaps, he has matured over the years and will welcome his new role within this dynamic and talented team. There is a possibility that he may even feature as a starter on certain occasions.

Throughout 25 games this season, the 33-year-old has been averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.1 steals. The former Butler star boasts a shooting percentage of 36.1 from beyond the arc and 46.8 from the field. Hayward has been sidelined for 25 games this season due to a left calf strain and hasn’t played since Dec. 26 against the Los Angeles Clippers.

There are certainly apprehensions associated with this deal. Hayward’s skill is undeniable; however, he hasn’t played more than 52 games since the 2018-2019 season. In the 2022-2023 season, he featured in just 50 games, accumulating a combined total of 93 games from 2020-2022.

Hayward’s fit in OKC

https://twitter.com/hornets/status/1735829929315475634

Although not the same player after his ankle and knee injuries, Hayward’s prowess as a sharpshooter remains intact. He is expected to provide defensive support alongside Luguentz Dort and Jalen Williams.

Ranked 13th in three-point shooting, Hayward will also bring playmaking and agility on the perimeter. As a player capable of creating his own shots, he should bolster the Thunder’s depth, especially considering Giddey’s occasional inconsistency.

If he stays fit, Hayward could be the missing piece for the Thunder, adding size alongside Chet Holmgren. Standing at 6’7, Hayward will offer a veteran presence to a Thunder squad characterized by its young talent.

With an average age of 24.1, the Thunder’s roster is the third youngest in the NBA, and they have made significant strides and headlines this season. Hayward has previous experience playing with a young core, as evidenced by the Hornets, who have several players aged 21 and below and currently hold a 10-40 record this season.

The fit is appealing for several reasons, particularly Hayward’s playoff experience. He steered the Utah Jazz to the Western Conference Semifinals in 2017 and played a pivotal role for the Celtics in their 2020 Eastern Conference Semifinals clash against the Miami Heat.

In his 29 playoff appearances, Hayward averaged 15 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. While not extensive, his playoff experience surpasses that of most players in the Thunder’s current roster.

Picked ninth in the 2010 NBA Draft, Hayward will now join a Thunder team that has nothing to lose. The franchise has been absent from the playoffs since the 2019-2020 season and now finds itself as the most enticing team in the western conference.

Guided by All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Hayward will join a rotation featuring rookie Chet Holmgren, Josh Giddey, Dort, and Jalen Williams. If fit, they undoubtedly possess one of the most solid top 6 line-ups in the west. In fact, their current starting unit averages the fourth highest total minutes (539) and continues to rank among the top five offensive teams.

OKC didn’t have to sacrifice core players

Mann was a first-round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Although he has exhibited flashes of talent, he struggled to find his place within the team’s depth chart, trailing behind Giddey and Cason Wallace. At 23, Mann is averaging 3.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 13 games this season.

He endured injuries and is a year removed from a 67-game season with OKC. During Dort’s absence last season, Mann displayed his ability to create scoring opportunities on the perimeter. At one point, he served as the second scoring option behind Gilgeous-Alexander and is due to become a restricted free agent in 2025.

Bertans, 31, boasts nine years of NBA experience, having previously played for the San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, Thunder, and now the Hornets. In 15 games, he is averaging 2.9 points. With a contract that isn’t fully guaranteed, Bertans has the option for early termination after this season.

Charlotte is presently in a complete rebuild phase, following earlier trades of Terry Rozier to the Miami Heat and P.J. Washington to the Dallas Mavericks. A seasoned NBA player, Hayward now has the opportunity to contend for an NBA Championship with a new team.

What makes this deal particularly appealing is the fact that the Thunder managed to retain all their core players and avoided taking on a player with a substantial salary.

Hayward’s playing style is similar to that of Josh Giddey, and his inclusion will undoubtedly have an impact on role players such as Kenrich Williams, Cason Wallace, and Aaron Wiggins.

Mark Daigneault now has a various bench options at his disposal thanks to the short-term wing with size.