When will Gordon Hayward play for OKC Thunder? Not until after NBA All-Star Break
A larger gaggle than usual filed into the Thunder’s practice facility Friday. Eyes traced each corner of the room. Every basket, every jersey, every doorway, every crevice of the building within the boundaries of the nearest court.
No sign of Gordon Hayward.
The 33-year-old wing, who was traded to the Thunder on Thursday, is in Oklahoma City, though. Jalen Williams made that clear.
“He’s a lot taller than I thought,” Williams said of his first impression.
Hayward was the only player OKC general manager Sam Presti dealt for Thursday, a move that solidified the identity the Thunder has built. Doubling down on a lack of size and the deficiencies that come with it. Embracing the subsequent offensive fluidity and versatility.
The 14-year veteran embodies the direction the Thunder is leaning into. A 6-foot-7 wing that spaces the floor, facilitates well enough and can get creative as a secondary scorer. His presence probably won’t complicate things for Thunder coach Mark Daigneault.
“It's just more versatility,” Daigneault said. “Similar to a lot of guys that we already have, which allows us to be flexible and use him and everybody else in a lot of different ways.”
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Gordon Hayward 'feeling pretty good'
Hayward’s addition comes with a caveat: His availability.
The one-time All-Star has been sidelined since Dec. 26 with a calf strain. Prior to being dealt, his status shifted to questionable ahead of Charlotte’s Wednesday game against Toronto. Upon meeting with Hayward, Daigneault said he’s “feeling pretty good,” but won’t make his Thunder debut until after the All-Star break as he goes through the team’s return-to-play protocol.
OKC’s Feb. 22 matchup with the Clippers at Paycom Center could be Hayward’s earliest possible return. In the meantime, Hayward won’t travel with the Thunder for its Saturday game against the Mavericks.
Daigneault noted that the team isn’t going to rush him. They’ll learn him, his game, his fit. They’ll take the lengthy hiatus to allow a more seamless transition for a player expected to play a necessary role immediately.
For a team with the youthful demeanor of a Disney show, Hayward practically enters the nucleus as Oklahoma City’s George Burns.
“I don’t know if we can call Kenrich (Williams) unc anymore,” Williams joked.
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Thunder will 'tap into' Gordon Hayward's big-game experience
With the gap in age comes experience. Being part of a Butler team that saw its glory during Barack Obama’s first term. An All-Star bid alongside a fresh-faced Rudy Gobert. A role on a hopeful, loaded Celtics squad that fell apart at the seams.
“Whenever you have older guys that have been through the league as long as he has, had success at the rate he has, I think he just brings a different dynamic of success and what we need to win,” Williams said.
“He already has talked to us about what he likes to do and just things like that to help us win. He's also receptive to stuff that we wanted too. He made that clear.”
That’s part of the difference in this new chapter for Hayward. He’s been expressive about the things that’ve gone wrong at past stops, particularly in Boston. He relives those lessons. He can pinpoint the decisions that unraveled any dreams of a ring.
Daigneault isn't keen on the idea that Hayward is around as a chaperone. That he was added solely to be some omniscient oracle. He's around to slip into the mold that’s helped the team win as much as it already has.
“He's played in big games, guys will tap into that,” Daigneault said. “But I do think it's important to acknowledge also that, again, he's not here for that purpose. He's here because we think he can help us on the basketball court.”
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Thunder vs. Mavericks
TIPOFF: 2 p.m. Saturday at American Airlines Center in Dallas (Bally Sports Oklahoma)
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Gordon Hayward out for OKC Thunder until after NBA All-Star Break
