Hornets trade Gordon Hayward to Thunder

He Oklahoma City thunder strengthened its squad to advance to the playoffs by acquiring Gordon Hayward from the charlotte hornets for guards Tre Mann and Vasilije Micic and forward Davis Bertans Thursday.

The Hornets also received a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick in the deal.

“I have never been part of a trade deadline deal; the last few days have been quite an adventure,” Hayward wrote on social media. “Charlotte has been an incredible home for our family and we are so grateful to the fans and the Hornets over the past 4 years. While change is never easy, I am excited to get to OKC and get to work!”

Hayward is averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game this season for the Hornets, although he hasn’t played since Dec. 26 due to a left calf issue. Injuries have been a constant problem for Hayward for years, as he has played 52 games or fewer in each of the last five seasons, including 25 games this season.

However, the 6-foot-7 forward provides the type of versatile size on the wing that the Thunder have prioritized and gives a young Oklahoma City team advancing toward its first playoff appearance since 2020, and doing so as one of the top favorites in the Western Conference: an additional shooter and passer on the perimeter.

Hayward, who turns 34 next month, will earn $31.5 million this season, the final year of his contract, and is set to hit free agency this summer.

Mann, 23, was the 18th pick in the 2021 draft. He has played in just 13 games this season after playing more than 60 in each of the last two seasons. Mann should get a chance for more minutes on a Charlotte team entering a complete rebuild under new owners Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin.

The Hornets have changed Terry Rozier and now Hayward in recent weeks.

Bertans, 31, played 15 games this season for Oklahoma City after being acquired as part of a deal that saw the Thunder jump from 12th to 10th in the 2023 draft to select the guard. Cason Wallace.

The measure also created a trade exception as part of the agreement.