Social Media Reacts to OKC Thunder Trade Deadline Moves

The OKC Thunder made two trades on deadline day in the NBA, most notably grabbing Gordon Hayward from the Hornets, while they also improved their future assets. Social Media reacts to the big day.

On Thursday, the Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Gordon Hayward from the Charlotte Hornets in a trade that sent Vasilije Micic, Tre Mann, Davis Bertans, and a couple of second-round picks to Buzz City in exchange for the veteran forward.

This move improved the OKC Thunder roster, which deserved the upgrade, given their performance through 50 games, for relatively no cost. Mann has a chance to pop in Charlotte that he was never going to get in Oklahoma City, Micic is slowly adjusting to the NBA but ultimately, like Bertans, does not project to be playable for sustained stretches in the postseason. 

Hayward is an NBA veteran with nine years of experience, including 29 playoff games and time spent alongside countless future Hall of Famers. While his experience is vital for the second-youngest roster in the NBA, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault set the record straight on Tuesday, highlighting this trade was to improve the team on the court, not add a motivational speaker. 

The 33-year-old will provide a massive scoring punch off the bench and really help bridge the game back to the starters or even close out games for the OKC Thunder. The lineup versatility Daigneault now possesses will improve their playoff case. This trade had social media buzzing.

OKC it’s forever love!! 💙

— Tre Mann (@tre2mann3) February 8, 2024

Great pickup by the knicks and thunder. I feel like everyone else is trading just to trade

— Rudy Gay (@RudyGay) February 8, 2024

OKC’s GM Sam Presti has struck gold again with the acquisition of Gordon Hayward. With his veteran presence and scoring ability, he will make their bench stronger and more explosive as they prepare for the playoffs!

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 8, 2024

Damn good pick up for OKC!

— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) February 8, 2024

I’ve never been part of a trade deadline deal - the last few days have been quite an adventure. Charlotte has been an amazing home for our family & we are so grateful to the fans & Hornets for the past 4 years. While change is never easy, I’m excited to get to OKC and work! ⚡️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/XybpnQ8edI

— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) February 9, 2024

The newest members of the squad have made it to the Hive, as they prep to take the floor tomorrow! 🤩

Read all about our trade deadline moves: https://t.co/6aORx8S1nP pic.twitter.com/ADtBCz8yY2

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) February 9, 2024

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Tre Mann being traded pic.twitter.com/T1rXhbi2nq

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) February 9, 2024

Tre Mann and Aaron Wiggins always warmed up together pregame, before fans were let in, before the music starts, their bond, jokes, and personality popped. Was fun to watch, a tiny glimpse of how close they are. They’d talk a little trash to assistants when making contested shots. pic.twitter.com/n0sPPr7ZTg

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) February 9, 2024

Gordon Hayward was such a smart pickup for the Thunder.

He fits everything this team does perfectly. When playing with reserves and play finishers, he still has self-creation upside to generate points for himself. He can also play off-ball as a secondary scoring punch when…

— Nick Crain (@CrainNBA) February 8, 2024

Hayward fits like a glove with the starters, and we’re well past the sample OKC needs to do it.

Don’t see it out the gate, but absolutely an option down the line. https://t.co/na9K7v2q9g

— Derek Parker (@DParkOK) February 8, 2024

From Jalen Williams’ second IG: pic.twitter.com/7zwDRgdDFa

— Joel Lorenzi (@jxlorenzi) February 8, 2024

🥲trickyyy…

— therealjalenwilliams (@jdubwttp) February 8, 2024

Tre Mann once scored 30 points at MSG and delivered this gem of a quote https://t.co/LTLjh8r0g2

— Joe Mussatto (@joe_mussatto) February 8, 2024

Hayward will not make his OKC Thunder debut until after the All-Star Break, as Mark Daigneault announced Friday at practice, but his debut is much anticipated around Bricktown. 

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

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