Gordon Hayward has slammed the Oklahoma City Thunder for his role, or lack thereof, after their season-ending loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Game 6 of the Western Conference semi-finals. The top-seeded Thunder lost four of their last five games in a disappointing end to a breakthrough season.
Before the trade deadline, the Thunder traded former first-round pick Tre Mann, along with Davis Bertans and Vasilije Micic to the Charlotte Hornets for Hayward - who they hoped could elevate their championship hopes.
However, Hayward averaged just six minutes per game in the playoffs. He didn't play at all through the final three games of the season while seeing career-low numbers.
READ MORE: Knicks limp out of NBA Playoffs with Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby misery as future unclear
READ MORE: NBA teams 'willing to use first-round pick on Bronny James' just to boost hopes of signing LeBron
When asked why his impact was extremely limited with the team, Hayward said: "I think that's credit to kind of the role that I was placed in and just lack of touches. Obviously disappointing with kind of how it all worked out. This is not what I thought it would be. Certainly frustrating. But kind of it is what it is. We have a great team here with great young players, a great coach. So the future is bright."
The 34-year-old had been in the last year of his contract, with the Thunder now extremely unlikely to re-sign him despite his words on their future.
Hayward has been one of the better forwards in the NBA over the last decade, with a versatile skillset that includes three-level scoring, playmaking and good size for his position. And although his numbers had decreased in recent years, he remained an impressive player with the Hornets earlier this season.
Follow the Mirror US on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest news, sport and entertainment stories.
After averaging 15 points, five assists and five rebounds in Charlotte in 31 minutes per game, Hayward played just 17 minutes with the Thunder, while averaging five points, two rebounds and one assist.
Hayward failed to crack into the lineup ahead of starting wings Jalen Williams, Isaiah Joe/Josh Giddey and Lu Dort, while guard Cason Wallace and forwards Jaylin Williams and Aaron Wiggins also saw time ahead of him in the playoffs.
The former All-Star is unlikely to be given huge offers this offseason, with injuries being a part of his story in the NBA over the last eight years. Hayward has failed to play more than 52 games for each of the last five seasons, appearing in just 51 games this past season.
Most Popular
Comments / 0