Trade Grade: Charlotte Announces Its Rebuild By Trading Starting Player
Another season, another disappointing year for the Charlotte Hornets. This has ultimately led to the Hornets shaking things up once again, as it was clear the team was going nowhere. Notable players have been put on the trading block, and the Hornets have officially made a trade involving Gordon Hayward, who is being shipped off to Oklahoma City. The details of the trade are down below.
Trade Details Charlotte Hornets Acquire: Tre Mann, Vasilije Micic, Davis Bertans, and undisclosed draft compensation
Oklahoma City Thunder Acquire: Gordon Hayward
Charlotte Hornets Side
It's about time the Hornets got out of Gordon Hayward's contract. It was one of the worst signings in the Michael Jordan era and was a gross overpayment, especially for a player who spent a majority of that time on the injury report. In fact, out of the 286 games he was supposed to play, he only played in 118 of them (41%). That's insanity but not surprising, as Hayward has never been the same since he suffered that brutal leg injury during his time with the Boston Celtics.
While the Hornets got something for a player the team was not going to bring back. They got a nice haul for Hayward.
Davis Bertans is just a throw-in, but he is a solid depth piece at center. He could be useful too if Charlotte plays it safe by shutting Mark Williams down for the rest of the season. Vasilije Micic is more of a backup player but could see some playing time if the team decides to shut down LaMelo Ball for the season.
The bigger addition and the one that intrigues me the most is Tre Mann. Mann is a talented scorer and shooter that the Hornets needed at guard. Despite being the 18th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, he hasn't seen much action, only playing in 13 games this season. This is a bit surprising as he showed flashes during his rookie season in the NBA. With a change of scenery and an opportunity for more minutes, he has potential in this league.
The Hornets also get much-needed cap space, as they're going to need it for Kyle Lowry as he clearly doesn't want to play in Charlotte and he is likely going to get bought out of his deal. Along with getting draft compensation, this was a pretty nice haul for Charlotte.
Oklahoma City Thunder Side
Oklahoma City currently holds the top spot in the Western Conference, but despite their success, it's clear that something is missing from the team. They needed another swingman/playmaker, and Gordon Hayward became available. So, the Thunder decided to pull the trigger on the trade.
The big risk here is Hayward's durability, as he has a history of getting injured. To mitigate this, it would be wise for the Thunder to use him strategically and not start him in every game. However, Hayward brings valuable experience, veteran savvy, and leadership to the team—qualities that will undoubtedly aid the Thunder in their playoff push.
While the salary implications are a bit of a concern, particularly given Hayward's injury history, it's worth noting that his contract is not long-term. Additionally, the Thunder did not give up any key players from their core rotation in the trade. Players like Mann, Bertans, and Micic were not heavily utilized to begin with, and with the Thunder's vast collection of draft picks, they can afford to part with one in this trade.
Grades for Gordon Hayward Trade
Charlotte Hornets: A Oklahoma City Thunder: B+
Overall, I like this deal for both teams, but I believe Charlotte takes the higher grade in this move. They were able to offload a player they weren't planning to bring back next season, while also acquiring cap space, draft picks, and some valuable depth pieces to bolster their roster for the remainder of the season. On the other hand, the Thunder also benefit from the trade, as they needed a player like Hayward to strengthen their playoff push, and he will provide valuable depth to their team. Overall, it's commendable work by Charlotte Hornets GM Mitch Kupchak and Oklahoma City Thunder General Manager Sam Presti.
Read more NBA news from Stadium Rant here: NBA News
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS:
Order your favorite whiskey or spirit for the big game right to your doorstep and use code STADIUMRANT10 for a 10% discount at Caskers
Use code STADIUMRANT20 for a 20% discount at Bulletproof Coffee, SwingJuice and Performix.
If you love to shotgun beers, use code STADIUMRANT10 at Wild Man Drinking Company.
MORE FROM STADIUM RANT:
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our newsletter here.
Check out Stadium Rant Original shows on our Youtube channel and subscribe!