Another Win: OKC Thunder's Trade Deadline Enough to Earn It 'Top Marks'

Acquiring Gordon Hayward without moving any major rotational pieces highlighted the Oklahoma City Thunder's efforts Thursday, and it was enough for it to pass with flying colors.

Well, add another thing right for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season.

While the NBA's second-youngest squad wasn't expected to be making any big-time moves at the deadline — and arguably, it didn't — it did make sure to run down its list of needs and address them.

One of those was adding a strong catch-and-shoot wing in Gordon Hayward, but also exchanging for some better draft capital to add to its already extensive arsenal. 

Acquiring Hayward meant offloading Tre Mann, Vasilije Micic and Davis Bertans, yes, but with all-things considered, the former Boston Celtic is likely to see more game action than the rest of those three players did, which makes the move worth it, especially if he holds up his end of the bargain and knocks down shots. 

That's why the Thunder sit atop CBS Sports' league-wide trade deadline grades. 

General manager Sam Presti says the team has \"consulted with three of the top foot specialists in the country.\" cover small :: © BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

"The Gordon Hayward acquisition makes perfect sense for Oklahoma City," the site wrote of the Thunder's trade deadline moves. "It can limit his minutes enough to keep him healthy, but he can provide many of the same things that Josh Giddey does without hurting their spacing. 

"There is a good chance [it] just landed a member of [its] closing five without taking on long-term salary or giving up an essential part of [its] rotation. That's a major win." 

Oklahoma City was one of four teams to be awarded an "A" for its efforts on Thursday, which only adds another layer to the impressive success its found thus far. With a strong core, a young team and a front office with improvement always on its mind, that's not so much a surprise. 

Then again, adding a wing and a potential closer without giving up any rotational pieces is certainly a recipe for further success, and who knows where that could take the Thunder from here.

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