Gordon Hayward’s addition to Oklahoma City’s lineup was always going to take time. The Thunder ranks first in the Western Conference and almost everything the team has been doing has been working. Hayward was just an extra addition to the arsenal, and integrating someone mid season always comes with growing pains.
Combining Hayward’s talent into the lineup gets even more difficult considering the former All-Star hadn’t played in an NBA game since December 26. When healthy, he had been a solid contributor for the Hornets, averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 25 games. Getting traded to the Thunder though, a team with five players averaging double digit points, and three bench players averaging over six, his role was always going to change.
In his first game with the Thunder, he certainly looked a bit rusty. Hayward only played 13 minutes and missed both of his attempted shots. On Friday night though, Thunder fans got a small glimpse of what his future role could look like. In 15 minutes, Hayward added eight points on 3-of-7 shooting and started to find his footing. He shook off an early air ball and started to click with the bench unit late in the blowout.
His rebounding has already been a plus, as the veteran has grabbed 10 total boards in two games with his new team. When Hayward is in for Josh Giddey, the team desperately needs his rebounding presence — and that’s just what he has provided.
Oklahoma City is still getting used to Hayward’s style of play. He likes his spots in the midrange and is a great slasher. He’s a solid playmaker inside the 3-point line and likes the ball on the block. The one thing the Thunder will need him to do is knock down open threes — something he hasn’t had the chance to do yet.
In 27 Thunder minutes, Hayward hasn’t attempted a single 3-point attempt. Considering he only took 2.4 triples per game for the Hornets this year, it’s not necessarily surprising. He has never been a volume shooter, and from casual fans that’s where his game is a bit misconstrued. When he does attempt outside looks however, he has always been efficient. It would be a big time positive for the Thunder if he could knock down one or two triples a night.
If Hayward can string together more games of 8-to-12 points, he’ll be in a perfect role off the bench for this Thunder team.
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