Thunder acquire Gordon Hayward from Hornets

The Oklahoma City Thunder areacquiring veteran Gordon Hayward from the Charlotte Hornets for TreMann, Vasilije Micic, Davis Bertans and draft compensation,according to The Athletic’s ShamsCharania.

Hayward, 33 and in his 13th NBAseason, is averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists pergame in 25 games this season. The 6-foot-7 forward has been dealingwith injuries and now his four-year stint with Charlotte endshaving not played more than 50 games in a single season.

Hayward moves to a Thunder teamthat’s currently No. 1 in the Western Conference despite being thesecond-youngest team in the league, and his veteran presence willbe a welcome addition to the team.

In return, Oklahoma City sendsover 2021 first-round pick Mann, journeyman Bertans, rookie Micicand some draft compensation.

Mann, who has not seen muchplaying time this season in favor of other rising young players, isonly averaging 3.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in just 13games played.

Bertans was in the same boat,and he's included in the deal to match salaries. The 6-foot-10Latvian sharpshooter has only appeared in 15 games for the Thunder,averaging just 2.9 points.

Micic, a EuroLeague MVP andchampion, gets moved despite having some good moments as a reservepoint guard with the Thunder this season. He recently scored an NBAcareer-high 12 points in 17 minutes in a win against thedefending-champion Denver Nuggets.