The Thunder are nearing a deal for Hornets forward Gordon Hayward, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Davis Bertans will be sent to Charlotte in return, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Hayward’s contract includes a 15 percent trade bonus that will adjust his salary from $31.5M to about $33.3M, tweets Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype.
That would move Oklahoma City into luxury tax territory unless Hayward opts to waive part of the bonus, but there’s been no indication yet that he will agree to that. Gozlan notes that Hayward is eligible for an extension of up to two seasons through the end of June.
The Thunder will have to take back more money for the deal to be finalized, points out Bobby Marks of ESPN. Bertans is making $17M this season and Mann is at $3.2M, which isn’t enough to match Hayward’s salary.
The 33-year-old Hayward brings a veteran presence to a young OKC team that has exceeded expectations this year. Injuries have limited him to 25 games, but he has been productive when he’s been able to play, averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists while shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from 3-point range.
Bertans, a 31-year-old power forward, is headed for his fourth team in the last three years. The veteran sharpshooter has been out of the Thunder’s rotation all season, with minimal playing time in 15 games. He holds a $5.25M guarantee on his $16M salary for 2024-25.
Mann, a third-year point guard, has seen limited action in 13 games this season. He was selected with the 18th pick in the 2021 draft and is under contract for one more season at $4.9M.
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