Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti has taken responsibility for the failed trade for veteran forward Gordon Hayward, acknowledging that the move did not benefit the team as anticipated.
Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti has candidly admitted to making an error in the trade for Gordon Hayward, a move that ultimately proved unsuccessful. Presti, known for his astute decision-making, owned up to his mistake during an end-of-season news conference following the Thunder's loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
The trade, initially aimed at bolstering the Thunder's roster, failed to deliver the expected results. Hayward, a one-time All-Star, struggled to find his rhythm with the team, averaging a mere 5.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists over 17.2 minutes per game in 26 appearances. His limited playing time, especially during the playoffs, underscored the mismatch between his abilities and the Thunder's system.
"I missed on that," Presti bluntly stated, via ESPN. "That's on me. But I'm learning, I'm trying to learn this team, I'm trying to learn the pace of the team a little bit. And trying to be a great observer of the team as it's going through its paces, knowing that it's really going to change on its own in and of itself."
Presti's willingness to shoulder the blame stands in stark contrast to the stubbornness often exhibited by other general managers who refuse to acknowledge their missteps. Presti's ability to self-evaluate and learn from his errors is a testament to his exceptional leadership qualities.
The Thunder acquired Hayward in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets in February, parting ways with Tre Mann, Vasilije Micic, David Bertans, and future draft picks. The move was met with optimism, given Hayward's past success as an All-Star. However, the fit between Hayward and the Thunder proved to be elusive.
"I feel as a player, I have a lot to offer," Hayward expressed, via ESPN. "Just wasn't really given much of an opportunity to do that. I thought I would be given that opportunity."
Hayward's sentiments were echoed by his wife, Robyn, who took to social media to question the Thunder's decision-making. "Why trade for someone and not play them?... missed it. By not integrating him," Robyn Hayward posted on Instagram.
Hayward's struggles with the Thunder suggest that Presti may have underestimated the challenges of integrating a midseason acquisition into a young and evolving team. Presti acknowledged this possibility, stating, "I don't think I read that one perfect, and I'm learning from that in terms of bringing somebody midseason and especially early on in the process for our team."
As the Thunder look towards the future, Hayward is expected to become a free agent this summer. Presti's admission of error serves as a reminder that even the most successful teams can make mistakes. The Thunder will undoubtedly seek to address their roster needs through alternative avenues, with Presti's self-awareness and willingness to learn from his missteps serving as valuable assets in their rebuilding process.
