OKC Thunder mailbag: How long will it take for Gordon Hayward to get comfortable?

In this edition of the Thunder mailbag, we look at how Gordon Hayward will fit in with this surging OKC squad:

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@IbrahimKaleem7: How long does it take for Gordon Hayward to get comfortable?

It could take the remainder of the regular season, really. Before his arrival in Oklahoma City, Hayward hadn’t played in a game since Dec. 26. It’s the first time since the 2019-20 season (and one of the few times in his career) where he isn’t starting every game he plays.

There will be some things he needs to get adjusted to. Having what feels like as few on-ball duties as he’s had for the bulk of his career. A greater need to be timely and fill the gaps that OKC’s stars might not fill on a given play. By the time his legs are stretched, he’ll probably be asked to clean up a broken play or two and be an end-of-clock creator. Right now, he’s trying to figure out what seams he needs to be in.

He’s still trying to shake the rust off. There was a point midway through Friday’s game where, between his two games in OKC, he’d airballed more shots than he’d made.

Defensively, it doesn’t feel like the team is asking much of him. He’ll help some from the corner, he’ll sit in the gap. On occasion, he’ll have to limit a couple of Paul George drives like he did Thursday.

But Mark Daigneault has been adamant about easing Hayward in as slowly as possible — whatever is necessary for the best fit. That’s what you’ve seen through his first couple games.

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To make future editions of the mailbag, email questions to jlorenzi@oklahoman.com or message him on Twitter @jxlorenzi.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder fine with easing Gordon Hayward back from long absence