The Oklahoma City Thunder’s deadline deal could change things for one of their starters.
On Thursday, the Thunder acquired Gordon Hayward from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Vasilije Micic, Tre Mann, Davis Bertans and second-round draft compensation. That move could result in changes to Josh Giddey’s role.
Throughout this season, Giddey has not had the same impact he did in his first two seasons. Although some shooting numbers have improved slightly, he is averaging career lows in points, rebounds and assists.
That has also led to him playing only 25 minutes per game. While Thunder coach Mark Daigneault has given no indication that Giddey’s starting role could be in jeopardy, trading for Hayward could be the first step in that process.
Hayward has missed the past six weeks with a left calf injury and is expected to return after the All-Star break. That period will give Giddey an opportunity to solidify his starting role.
However, Giddey’s play may not matter if the Thunder traded for Hayward with the starting lineup in mind. The former All-Star has started all but one game he has played since the start of the 2019-20 season.
Even if Hayward does not earn a spot in the starting lineup, moving Giddey to the bench could be a wise decision. Micic had recently become a part of the regular rotation and impacted games with playmaking off the bench.
Considering the Thunder have ball handlers such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams to run the offense with the starting unit, allowing Giddey to run the second unit could benefit all parties. In his last 15 games with the Thunder, Micic averaged 15 minutes and had three games with five assists off the bench.
The third-year guard is a better all-around talent than Micic and is a good passer, making him perfect to fill in that role while playing a similar amount of minutes. If the Thunder decide neither Giddey nor Hayward should start, that could open up a slot for young guys such as Cason Wallace or Aaron Wiggins.
With more than two months before the playoffs begin, the Thunder have plenty of time to figure out their rotations and starting lineup. Most importantly, trading for Hayward gives the Thunder more options than they previously had, and that could be what takes them over the top.
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