The Charlotte Hornets are making a move to reshape their roster as they continue their quest for a playoff appearance. According to a person familiar with the situation, the Hornets have agreed to send small forward Gordon Hayward to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for guard Tre Mann, forward Davis Bertans, point guard Vasilije Micic, along with second-round draft picks in 2024 and 2025. The deal is still pending league approval.
The Hornets signed Hayward to a lucrative four-year, $120 million contract in 2020, hoping that his presence would elevate the team to postseason contention. However, injuries have plagued Hayward, and the team has struggled to find consistent success. In fact, Charlotte is on track to miss the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season, the longest active streak in the NBA.
Hayward has missed a significant portion of games since his arrival in Charlotte, sitting out 43% (128 out of 296) of the team's contests, including half of this season's games. The Hornets currently have a record of 10-40 and have been in dire need of stability and production from their lineup.
If Hayward can overcome his current left calf strain and return to the court, he could provide a valuable boost to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder, who are tied with Minnesota and Denver for the best record in the Western Conference, have been impressive this season with a 35-16 record.
Despite his injury woes, Hayward has managed to contribute when available. This season, he has averaged 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game, while shooting 36.1% from beyond the arc. Throughout his 14-year career, the 33-year-old veteran has maintained an average of 15.5 points.
Alongside the trade involving Hayward, the Hornets have continued their efforts to rebuild their roster. It was announced on Thursday that they traded P.J. Washington to the Dallas Mavericks for Grant Williams, Seth Curry, and a 2027 first-round draft pick. Additionally, reports indicate that the Hornets have decided to waive their 2021 first-round draft pick, James Bouknight, who has played in just 79 games over three seasons.
The Hornets have been proactive in making changes leading up to the trade deadline. Earlier this month, they sent Terry Rozier to the Miami Heat in exchange for Kyle Lowry and a future conditional first-round draft pick. Lowry is expected to be bought out and will not suit up for the Hornets.
Mitch Kupchak, the general manager of the Charlotte Hornets, stated last month that the team would be open to moving more players as they seek to reshape their roster. This recent trade involving Hayward and the other transactions made by the team highlight their commitment to this approach.
However, it's worth noting that Miles Bridges, who has been performing exceptionally well for the Hornets recently with back-to-back 40+ point games, holds a no-trade clause and will not approve any trades. Bridges will remain with Charlotte for the remainder of the season and becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Hornets possess his Bird rights, allowing them to exceed the salary cap in order to offer him a maximum-salary deal.
As for the Thunder, they acquire a promising young player in Tre Mann, the 18th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft. Mann showed glimpses of potential during his rookie season, averaging 10.4 points per game and making several notable performances. Additionally, Davis Bertans, a career 39.8% 3-point shooter, joins the team from the Mavericks. Bertans has experience and could provide valuable shooting off the bench. Vasilije Micic, an adept passer, will also join the Thunder. Micic, who was acquired by the Thunder from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2020, has been averaging 3.3 points and 2.5 assists in limited playing time this season.
The trade involving Gordon Hayward and the other accompanying moves represent a significant shift in the composition of the Hornets' roster as they envision a new direction for the future. Only time will tell if these changes can ultimately lead to the success and playoff appearances the team desires.
