Thunder acquire Gordon Hayward from Hornets

The Oklahoma City Thunder are acquiring veteran Gordon Hayward from the Charlotte Hornets for Tre Mann, Vasilije Micic, Davis Bertans and draft compensation, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.  

Hayward, 33 and in his 13th NBA season, is averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game in 25 games this season. The 6-foot-7 forward has been dealing with injuries and now his four-year stint with Charlotte ends having not played more than 50 games in a single season.

Hayward moves to a Thunder team that’s currently No. 1 in the Western Conference despite being the second-youngest team in the league, and his veteran presence will be a welcome addition to the team.

In return, Oklahoma City sends over 2021 first-round pick Mann, journeyman Bertans, rookie Micic and some draft compensation.

Mann, who has not seen much playing time this season in favor of other rising young players, is only averaging 3.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in just 13 games played.

Bertans was in the same boat, and he's included in the deal to match salaries. The 6-foot-10 Latvian sharpshooter has only appeared in 15 games for the Thunder, averaging just 2.9 points. 

Micic, a EuroLeague MVP and champion, gets moved despite having some good moments as a reserve point guard with the Thunder this season. He recently scored an NBA career-high 12 points in 17 minutes in a win against the defending-champion Denver Nuggets.