Stiles Points: OKC Thunder Rightfully Rewarded This Roster

The Oklahoma City Thunder have rightfully rewarded this roster by adding Gordon Hayward to the fold at the NBA Trade Deadline.

The OKC Thunder sit at 35-16, a half-game back of the top record in the Western Conference, which they have bounced in and out of throughout the first 51 games of the season. 

Despite being the second-youngest team in the NBA, the Thunder have earned the right for a roster upgrade at the trade deadline. Boasting a top-five offense and defense with the second-best net rating in the NBA.  

With arguably the leader in the clubhouse in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and two All-Star caliber players in Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, this Thunder team is ready to compete at the highest level of age. At the trade deadline, they deserved a shot to make the team better.

As he has every trade deadline with a winning team, Presti gave the 2023-24 Thunder their shot, acquiring Gordon Hayward from the Charlotte Hornets on deadline day. 

Hayward provides the Thunder with a consistent scorer off the bench, veteran leadership, and lineup versatility, which will help them manage a playoff series.

While there is no pressure on this young Oklahoma City squad, and they still have to make postseason adjustments that only come with first-hand experience, improving this roster on Thursday was not only a sign of faith from the front office but a deserved reward for the Thunder routinely outperforming their expectation level.  

Stiles Points: 

• Gordon Hayward will wear number 33, becoming the fifth player in team history to do so. Most recently worn by Mike Muscala, Hayward also joins Mitch McGary, Daniel Orton, and Ryan Reid. It will not take much for Hayward to earn the right to be the best Thunder player to dawn 33. Hayward had to make a number change from his traditional 20 due to the Thunder honoring Seattle Sonics greats such as Gary Peyton in this case. 
• Isaiah Joe practiced on Friday after missing the last four games for the Oklahoma City Thunder. With a light week of games, Joe has now seen 11 days off since suffering a sternum bruise against Minnesota. His floor spacing would be deadly against the Mavericks on Saturday and could really help out a shorthanded rotation. With two open roster spots, Keyontae Johnson in the G League, and Gordon Hayward shelved until after the All-Star break, getting Joe back will be key. 
• Jalen Williams was asked about the emotions of the NBA Trade Deadline, saying it "sucks," as he and Mark Daigneault gave glowing reviews of what Tre Mann meant to this organization; there is one thing that they did not touch on that will be extremely missed: Watching him warm up. This was a special treat, getting to the area three hours early to see Mann, Aaron Wiggins, Keyontae Johnson, and Cason Wallace all getting shots up pregame with Thunder assistants David Akinyooye and Erick Mayor. The rookies would pair up, as would Mann and Wiggins. While no fans and no music were blaring, the arena was anything but silent. "Who wants to get sprayed?" was a common question that echoed through the Paycom Center as Mann and Wiggins gladly let the Thunder staffers know they could not guard them as much as they tried to contest their pregame threes. In those moments, it became clear what Mann's coaches and teammates were raving about. The energy, positivity, and personality certainly made an 82-game season feel less monotonous. 
• Joe was snubbed from the NBA 3-point contest for the likes of Malik Beasley, and while neither is a household name, one is undoubtedly viewed as much of a sharpshooter with a quick and smooth jumper that is designed to put on a show at the 3-point contest. The NBA is also overlooking a player who has publicly said he was to participate and would not just go through the motions as many do at All-Star Weekend.
• The OKC Blue won their seventh straight game, knocking off the Clippers 118-110, behind four 20-plus point scorers. Rookie Keyontae Johnson was able to shake loose for 24 points and five rebounds, putting a ton of pressure on the rim.

Song of the Day: Come as You Are by Nirvana

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Gordon Hayward Will Not Play for OKC Thunder Until After All-Star Break

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