Oklahoma City Thunder GM Sam Presti is in the identical boat as Gordon Hayward – the commerce for the NBA veteran didn’t go as deliberate.
Presti spoke at an end-of-season information convention on Tuesday following his group’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks within the second spherical of the NBA Playoffs, the place he took the blame for the commerce he made for Hayward.
The commerce was supposed to spice up the roster, however Hayward wasn’t the proper match in the long run.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Gordon Hayward of the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder earlier than the playoff sport in opposition to the Mavericks on Might 18, 2024, on the American Airways Middle in Dallas. (Cooper Neill/NBAE through Getty Photographs)
“I missed on that,” Presti mentioned bluntly, through ESPN. “That’s on me. However I’m studying, I’m attempting to study this group, I’m attempting to study the tempo of the group a little bit bit. And attempting to be a terrific observer of the group because it’s going by way of its paces, understanding that it’s actually going to vary by itself in and of itself.”
Presti is healthier than most basic managers all through sports activities, who would slightly die on the hill when the commerce was made, however the participant simply didn’t carry out to his ordinary talents.
Presti sparked a commerce with the Charlotte Hornets for Hayward, the one-time All-Star who was in his thirteenth NBA season. He despatched Tre Mann, Vasilije Micic, David Bertans and future draft picks in February to land the person averaging 14.5 factors on 46.8% capturing from the sector over 25 video games with Charlotte.
NBA STAR RUDY GOBERT BRUSHES OFF CRITICISM OF MISSING PLAYOFF GAME FOR BIRTH OF FIRST CHILD
Nevertheless, when Hayward obtained to the Thunder, the match simply wasn’t proper. He performed in 26 video games, beginning in solely three, the place he averaged 5.3 factors, 2.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists over 17.2 minutes per sport.
And whereas the Thunder would’ve liked nice depth within the playoffs, Hayward performed simply 5 minutes per sport in opposition to the Mavericks, whereas seeing lower than eight minutes per sport in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans within the first spherical.
Hayward known as his time with the group “disappointing” and “irritating,” and the sensation is clearly mutual from Presti’s perspective.
Gordon Hayward of the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder dribbles the ball throughout the playoff sport in opposition to the Mavericks at American Airways Middle on Might 11, 2024, in Dallas. (Getty Photographs)
“I really feel as a participant, I’ve loads to supply,” Hayward mentioned, through ESPN. “Simply wasn’t actually given a lot of a possibility to try this. I assumed I’d be given that chance.”
Hayward’s spouse was clearly ticked off as effectively, leaping into Bleacher Report’s feedback on Instagram underneath a submit with Presti’s “that’s on me” quote.
“Why commerce for somebody and never play them?… missed it. By not integrating him,” Robyn Hayward posted, including in a separate remark that Gordon allegedly instructed Presti the commerce didn’t appear to make sense, although it was made anyway.
Hayward will now be a free agent this summer season, but it surely’s secure to say the Thunder will likely be wanting elsewhere to bolster their roster after this failed marriage.
Gordon Hayward of the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder in opposition to the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 5, 2024, in Indianapolis. (Andy Lyons/Getty Photographs)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“I don’t suppose I learn that one good,” Presti admitted, “and I’m studying from that when it comes to bringing any person midseason and particularly early on within the course of for our group.”
