OKC Thunder lands Gordon Hayward in trade with Hornets for three players, two draft picks

The silence is broken.

Roughly four hours before the NBA’s trade deadline, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded for Charlotte Hornets wing Gordon Hayward. The Thunder’s package to Charlotte included Tre Mann, Davis Bertans, Vasilije Micic and two second-round draft picks.

Hayward is averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists and shooting 36.1% from deep this season. The 33-year-old is in the final year of a massive four-year, $120 million deal. He’s owed $31 million this season.

After stints with Utah, Boston and Charlotte, Oklahoma City would be his fourth stop in 14 NBA seasons. While he’s a long way from his days as an All-Star with the Jazz, Hayward remains productive as a scorer and connective wing.

His biggest concern? Availability.

Hayward hasn’t played more than 50 games since the 2019-20 season. He hasn’t suited up for Charlotte since Dec. 26 due to a left calf injury.

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"I’ve never been part of a trade deadline deal - the last few days have been quite an adventure," Hayward posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday night. "Charlotte has been an amazing home for our family & we are so grateful to the fans & Hornets for the past 4 years. While change is never easy, I’m excited to get to OKC and work."

With Bertans and Mann expected to make $17 million and $3.2 million (Mann makes $4.9 million next season), respectively, Thunder fans held their breath at the possibility of another team’s involvement or a third player being involved upon initial news of the trade.

That player wound up being Micic.

While seeing an increased role in January and helping keep Jalen Williams-led lineups afloat as a secondary playmaker, it’s unclear if Micic’s role would’ve been sustainable in a playoff setting. He averaged 12 minutes through 30 games with the Thunder. Bertans played in 15 games this season. Mann played in 13.

The Thunder is likely depending on Hayward’s availability as another ball handler and connector to keep those second units productive. As a 6-foot-7, solid secondary creator, Hayward will likely be asked to keep the ball moving, break zones, and possibly bail out OKC in whatever end-of-clock situations Williams can’t close himself. With his pluggability, he’s also a candidate to close games.

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Although the Thunder has appeared wiser than its average age, Hayward provides maturity and a veteran presence, having been part of teams with similar postseason aspirations. Should OKC choose to re-sign him at a lower price or let him walk in the offseason, the team clears plenty of runway for an ambitious summer.

Injuries might very well always be a concern for Hayward during his Thunder tenure. But obtaining him for what appears to be a combination of players that likely would’ve played marginal roles — or no role at all — in the postseason is a price Sam Presti is seemingly willing to live with.

The Thunder also agreed to a trade Thursday with the Mavericks for a 2028 pick swap in exchange for the second-worst selection of OKC's four first-round picks in 2024.

More: Thunder vs. Jazz recap: OKC has no answer for Lauri Markkanen in loss to Utah

Who is Gordon Hayward?

• Birthdate: March 23, 1990

• Hometown: Indianapolis

• College: Butler

• NBA Draft: Selected ninth overall by the Utah Jazz in 2010

• Notable: Averaged 15.5 points in 809 career games in NBA. Spent first seven seasons of career with Jazz before signing with the Boston Celtics in 2017 to reunite with his college coach, Brad Stevens. Hayward suffered a serious leg injury in his first game with Boston and only played in 125 games from 2017-20. He joined the Hornets in 2020 but hasn't played more than 50 games in a season with Charlotte.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder lands Gordon Hayward in trade with Charlotte Hornets