Thunder GM Presti Admits Hayward Trade Missed the Mark

In a candid end-of-season press conference, Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti acknowledged his responsibility for the failed trade involving Gordon Hayward.

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti has taken ownership of the disappointing trade that brought Gordon Hayward to the team. Speaking at an end-of-season news conference, Presti bluntly stated, "I missed on that."

The trade, made in February, was intended to bolster the Thunder's roster. In exchange for Tre Mann, Vasilije Micic, David Bertans, and future draft picks, the Thunder acquired Hayward, a one-time All-Star who had averaged 14.5 points per game with the Charlotte Hornets.

However, Hayward's arrival in Oklahoma City proved to be a poor fit. He played in only 26 games, starting in just three, averaging a meager 5.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. In the playoffs, his playing time dwindled to an average of five minutes per game against the Dallas Mavericks.

"I feel as a player, I have a lot to offer," Hayward said after the season. "Just wasn't really given much of an opportunity to do that. I thought I would be given that opportunity."

Presti acknowledged the misalignment between Hayward's expectations and the Thunder's system. "I don't think I read that one perfect," he admitted. "And I'm learning from that in terms of bringing somebody midseason and especially early on in the process for our team."

The Thunder's struggles with Hayward highlighted the difficulty in integrating veteran players into a young, developing roster. While Presti has a reputation as one of the league's most astute general managers, he admitted to making a mistake in this case.

"That's on me," he said. "But I'm learning, I'm trying to learn this team, I'm trying to learn the pace of the team a little bit."

Presti's willingness to accept responsibility for the trade's failure is a testament to his character. It also sets a positive example for other front office executives, who often resort to excuses or deflect blame when things go wrong.

As the Thunder look to rebuild, they will need to evaluate their roster and identify players who fit their long-term goals. Hayward, who will become a free agent this summer, is unlikely to be a part of those plans.

The experience with Hayward has taught Presti a valuable lesson about integrating veteran players into a young team. It is a lesson that will undoubtedly serve him well in the future.