The Thunder needed to add depth and experience at forward to their young, Western Conference-leading roster. They checked both boxes with one, expensive deal.
Oklahoma City reportedly acquired Hornets forward Gordon Hayward, a 33-year-old small forward who battled injuries throughout his four years in Charlotte, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Hayward has been solid when he's been on the floor for the Hornets, averaging 16.3 points during his four-year run with the team. In 25 games this season, he's averaged 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists.
The journeyman forward has been out since Dec. 26 with a calf injury. Last year, he played in 50 games for the Hornets, the first time since signing with them in free agency ahead of the 2020-21 campaign that he reached at least 50 contests played. Throughout his Hornets tenure, he battled ankle, foot, shoulder and hamstring injuries.
Here's what you need to know about the trade.
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Gordon Hayward trade details
Thunder receive:
- Gordon Hayward
Hornets receive:
- Tre Mann
- Davis Bertans
- Vasilije Micic
- TBD draft compensation
The deal appears to be centered more around clearing salary space for the Hornets and getting younger rather than about acquiring picks. Charlotte will receive 2021 first-round pick Tre Mann, veteran forward Davis Bertans, guard Vasilije Micic and draft compensation in the swap, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.
Neither Mann nor Bertans have logged a start with Oklahoma City in 2023-24. Mann, who appeared in at least 60 games in back-to-back seasons, played in just 13 for the Thunder this year. He's averaged 3.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists and shot 50 percent from the field. For his career, the 23-year-old guard from Florida averaged 8.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists, while shooting 39.7 percent from the field and 34.1 percent from 3-point range.
Bertans will now play for his fifth NBA team. He was drafted by the Pacers but was traded immediately to the Spurs in the Kawhi Leonard-George Hill trade. He spent three years with San Antonio, two-and-a-half with the Wizards, one-and-a-half with the Mavericks and the 2023-24 campaign with Oklahoma City. A 31-year-old forward, Bertans appeared in 15 games for the Thunder and averaged 2.9 points, 0.7 rebounds and 0.6 assists. For his career, he's averaged 7.6 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.9 assists.
Micic is a 30-year-old rookie. He joined the Thunder as one of the best players in Europe, earning back-to-back Euroleague championships and Final Four MVP honors in 2021 and 2022. He's averaging 3.3 points and 2.5 assists through 30 games this season.
Gordon Hayward contract details
This swap will certainly lighten the payroll for the Hornets. Hayward was in the final year of his four-year, $120 million deal with Charlotte, and was earning a salary of $31.5 million, according to Spotrac. Because he was traded, he'll earn an additional $2.9 million due to a trade kicker.
Hayward's $31.5 million cap figure was the largest on the team, topping the $29.7 million of Kyle Lowry and $16.9 million of PJ Washington. Hayward will be a free agent after the season ends.
