Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti admitted fault in the deal that brought Gordon Hayward to the team earlier in the season. Despite his best efforts to understand the team and navigate its dynamics, Presti acknowledged that he fell short in integrating Hayward effectively. The Thunder acquired Hayward from the Charlotte Hornets in February but struggled to find a suitable role for him on the team.
Hayward played sparingly throughout his time with the Thunder, averaging just 5.3 points and 2.5 rebounds in 26 games while coming off the bench. His limited playing time in the playoffs further highlighted the team’s inability to fully utilize his skills. Following the team’s postseason loss, Hayward expressed disappointment and frustration over his experience with the Thunder.
Presti managed to guide the Thunder to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and secure a spot in the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2016, despite challenges with Hayward. As Hayward prepares to enter free agency this summer, it appears likely that he will seek opportunities elsewhere, but Presti has acknowledged areas for growth and learning from his experience of acquiring Hayward midseason.