Thunder GM Sam Presti says he ‘missed’ on Gordon Hayward commerce

Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder government vice chairman and basic supervisor Sam Presti stated he “missed” on the midseason commerce that introduced in veteran Gordon Hayward, calling it a studying expertise.

The Thunder loved a breakout season this 12 months, coming into the playoffs because the No. 1 seed within the Western Convention, however fell in six video games to the Dallas Mavericks within the second spherical.

Presti tried to fortify the younger roster by bringing in Hayward, an completed veteran, again in February. Nonetheless, the oft-injured former All-Star averaged simply 5.3 factors in 17.2 minutes per recreation for the Thunder in 26 regular-season video games and didn’t rating a single level within the postseason.

“I missed on that,” Presti stated Tuesday at his end-of-season information convention. “That is on me. However I am studying, I am making an attempt to study this staff, I am making an attempt to study the tempo of the staff just a little bit. And making an attempt to be a terrific observer of the staff because it’s going via its paces, realizing that it is actually going to alter by itself in and of itself.”

The Thunder acquired Hayward from the Charlotte Hornets for guards Tre Mann and Vasilije Micic and ahead Davis Bertans. The Hornets additionally obtained a 2024 second-round choose and a 2025 second-rounder within the deal. Hayward was averaging 14.5 factors, 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists per recreation on the time, though he hadn’t performed since Dec. 26 due to a left calf problem.

Hayward final week advised reporters that his transient tenure with the Thunder was “disappointing” and “irritating.”

“I really feel as a participant, I’ve quite a bit to supply,” stated Hayward, who will likely be a free agent this summer season. “Simply wasn’t actually given a lot of a possibility to do this. I believed I might be given that chance.”

Presti known as it a “robust scenario” for Hayward and reiterated that he’ll try and study from the commerce.

“I do not suppose I learn that one good, and I am studying from that by way of bringing someone midseason and particularly early on within the course of for our staff,” Presti stated.