Robyn Hayward Fires Back at Sam Presti's Trade Blame Game

Robyn Hayward, the wife of Gordon Hayward, has criticized Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti for his comments regarding the trade that brought her husband to Oklahoma City. Presti had previously taken responsibility for the failed trade, blaming himself for not properly integrating Hayward into the team. However, Robyn Hayward disputed this claim, arguing that Presti should have played Hayward more instead of trading for him in the first place.

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti has come under fire from Robyn Hayward, the wife of Gordon Hayward, over his comments regarding the trade that brought Hayward to the team. Presti had previously taken responsibility for the failed trade, blaming himself for not properly integrating Hayward into the team. However, Robyn Hayward disputed this claim, arguing that Presti should have played Hayward more instead of trading for him in the first place.

In February, the Thunder traded Tre Mann, Vasilije Micic, David Bertans, and future draft picks to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Hayward. Hayward averaged 14.5 points per game over his 25 appearances with the Hornets. However, his production declined significantly in Oklahoma City, where he averaged just 5.3 points per game. Hayward's playing time also dipped considerably, from an average of 28.3 minutes per game in Charlotte to 17.2 minutes per game in Oklahoma City.

After the Thunder were eliminated from the playoffs, Presti took responsibility for the failed trade. "I missed on that," Presti said. "That’s on me. But I’m learning, I’m trying to learn this team, I’m trying to learn the pace of the team a little bit. And trying to be a great observer of the team as it’s going through its paces, knowing that it’s really going to change on its own in and of itself."

Robyn Hayward responded to Presti's comments on social media, writing, "Why trade for someone and not play them? … missed it by not integrating him." She also expressed frustration with the Thunder's decision to limit Hayward's playing time in the playoffs, where he only managed three shot attempts.

Gordon Hayward previously expressed his frustration with his brief stint in Oklahoma City. "I feel as a player, I have a lot to offer," Gordon said. "Just wasn’t really given much of an opportunity to do that. I thought I would be given that opportunity."

Robyn Hayward also took issue with how the Hornets described the injury that kept Gordon Hayward out of a game against the Timberwolves in November 2022. The Hornets announced that Hayward would miss the contest due to a shoulder contusion, but Robyn claimed that her husband actually had a fractured scapula. She criticized the Hornets for not protecting players and for playing Hayward with an injury.

Hayward is scheduled to become a free agent this offseason. It remains to be seen where he will play next season, but it is clear that his wife is not happy with the way he was treated in Oklahoma City.