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Gordon Hayward's season didn't end the way he wanted. Hayward struggled to find his place with the Oklahoma City Thunder after a trade deadline deal from the Charlotte Hornets. Hayward owned those struggles in his final meeting with the media for this season, following the Thunder's second-round loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

"Disappointing with how it all kind of worked out. Certainly frustrating," Hayward said.

The veteran wing said he thought his lack of production with Oklahoma City was mostly about his place within the rotation and the team's schemes.

"That’s credit to kinda the role I was placed in and lack of touches," Hayward said when asked about his lack of field goal attempts with Oklahoma City.

Hayward is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Thunder can create over $30 million in cap space this offseason, while having relatively few roster spots to fill for next season.

Via Joel Lorenzi/The Oklahoman

You’re always hurt bruh

Sounds accurate. His HOB was .077 which is crazy low. Dregs of the league low.

I don't think he was the answer for OKC, nor do I know what he has left in the tank... but that doesn't make his statement any less true.

Oklahoma City traded for Gordan Hayward's expiring contract. The Thunder had no intention of playing Hayward, and he clearly is not part of the team's long-term plans.

Hard to imagine why a team wouldn’t wanna invest a big part of their schemes into you Gordon

Yes clearly not the right fit but maybe he can be a helpful shooter off bench on some other team.

So, so passive and so, so injury prone. Also so old now. What's not to love?

The worst deadline trade and waste of a year when they had a great cap situation and good talent. With more picks than they can use... dumb.

Should blame SGA for ball hogging and not sharing the ball with another star like Hayward.

They valued your expiring contract more. He should be able to sign with a contender for the minimum this summer.

Curious if he'll latch on anywhere at vet min this summer. As a Celtic fan, there'd potentially be a 3rd string role for him here, but I don't think he can even do that anymore -- has looked ultra washed the last few times I've seen him.

And it should of course be said that his time with Boston was also disappointing and frustrating. I'm sure CHA has regret about giving him like 4/$120M too.

I guess he'll always have the days in Utah and Butler to look back on. That's way better than most of us achieve on the basketball court. Plus he's had a lot of kids and played a lot of video games, so .. cool? But ya washed, man.

TimeisIllmatic wrote:They valued your expiring contract more. He should be able to sign with a contender for the minimum this summer.

I doubt they traded Mann, and 3 2nd round picks just to dump the 5 mil guaranteed on Bertans. And if they did, there were far better and cheaper ways to accomplish that.

The Los Angeles LeBrons will certainly scoop him up and use his heavily as an excuse down the road.

kenwood3333 wrote:Should blame SGA for ball hogging and not sharing the ball with another star like Hayward.

Star like Hayward? Lmao.

This guy was a true NBA iron man before he snapped his leg. Ever since that leg injury his body never adjusted. It almost started a chain reaction of different injuries.

Was a great player in his prime.

31to6 wrote:Curious if he'll latch on anywhere at vet min this summer. As a Celtic fan, there'd potentially be a 3rd string role for him here, but I don't think he can even do that anymore -- has looked ultra washed the last few times I've seen him.

And it should of course be said that his time with Boston was also disappointing and frustrating. I'm sure CHA has regret about giving him like 4/$120M too.

I guess he'll always have the days in Utah and Butler to look back on. That's way better than most of us achieve on the basketball court. Plus he's had a lot of kids and played a lot of video games, so .. cool? But ya washed, man.

The Charlotte contract was even a head-scratcher at the time he signed. He is a lucky dude.

Skipwhethers wrote:

31to6 wrote:Curious if he'll latch on anywhere at vet min this summer. As a Celtic fan, there'd potentially be a 3rd string role for him here, but I don't think he can even do that anymore -- has looked ultra washed the last few times I've seen him.

And it should of course be said that his time with Boston was also disappointing and frustrating. I'm sure CHA has regret about giving him like 4/$120M too.

I guess he'll always have the days in Utah and Butler to look back on. That's way better than most of us achieve on the basketball court. Plus he's had a lot of kids and played a lot of video games, so .. cool? But ya washed, man.

The Charlotte contract was even a head-scratcher at the time he signed. He is a lucky dude.

Yup. Celtics fans were blindsided but also dumbfounded.

CHA GM Mitch Kupchak at the time:

"We are thrilled to welcome Gordon and his family to the Hornets organization and Charlotte," general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement. "Gordon is an NBA All-Star, a proven scorer and playmaker and a tough competitor that will fit well into the needs of our team. We believe that his basketball talent, NBA experience and veteran leadership will make a positive impact on our young, talented team as it continues to develop."
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30416502/charlotte-hornets-complete-sign-trade-boston-celtics-acquire-gordon-hayward

Johnny Bball wrote:

TimeisIllmatic wrote:They valued your expiring contract more. He should be able to sign with a contender for the minimum this summer.

I doubt they traded Mann, and 3 2nd round picks just to dump the 5 mil guaranteed on Bertans. And if they did, there were far better and cheaper ways to accomplish that.

Facts. They were hoping that Hayward could contribute on the court while also being a salary clearing piece.

Johnny Bball wrote:

TimeisIllmatic wrote:They valued your expiring contract more. He should be able to sign with a contender for the minimum this summer.

I doubt they traded Mann, and 3 2nd round picks just to dump the 5 mil guaranteed on Bertans. And if they did, there were far better and cheaper ways to accomplish that.

Well we're never going to know if there were far better and cheaper ways since it didn't happen.