After 14 seasons in the NBA, former All-Star and current forward Gordon Hayward of the Oklahoma City Thunder formally announced on Thursday afternoon that he was ending his professional career.
The 34-year-old sent a personal letter on his official X account explaining his decision to give up basketball. It read, “Today, I am officially retiring from the game of basketball.” It’s been an amazing journey, and I am incredibly appreciative of everyone who has enabled me to beyond my wildest expectations.”
Thank you 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/fqbw3WML0n
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) August 1, 2024
Although the majority of comments on the announcement have been positive and heartwarming, there are some devoted Thunder supporters who, to be honest, still can’t seem to get over the disastrous experiment that was his mid-season acquisition during the previous season.
Following news of Gordon Hayward’s retirement, Thunder supporters attack him one last time.
A fan even went so far as to accuse the veteran of gaslighting the Thunder with his controversial remarks during his contentious farewell interview. The fan made reference to Hayward’s inconsistent details concerning his arrival on the team.
He really tried to gaslight the Thunder lol
Good riddance buddy https://t.co/XGSRvtwV0o
— 👑 𝓝𝓲𝓬𝓴 👑 (@neverbeenequal) August 1, 2024
The forward was called out by another user for being “washed.”
Thank you 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/fqbw3WML0n
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) August 1, 2024
As Matt Alquiza of Sports Illustrated even went so far as to explain, Hayward’s quick departure was actually a good thing for Oklahoma City because it allowed them to free up the necessary cap space in order to sign players like Isaiah Hartenstein this offseason.
OKC received: 26 games of Gordon Hayward
Hornets received: Tre Mann, Vasilije Micic, and Davis Bertans
Massive W for Charlotte on the surface, but trading for Hayward and having his salary dissolve off the books allowed the Thunder to sign Isaiah Hartenstein into space.
— Matt Alquiza (@malquiza8) August 1, 2024
Gordon Hayward finished the last 26 games of his professional career with pedestrian averages of 5.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists—undoubtedly better than what his brief stint with the Thunder suggested, as he’s a career 15.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game player.
After about six months, a significant portion of the fan base views the trade as one that ultimately cost them the promising young talent of their former first-round pick, Tre Mann. The trade was once thought to help propel OKC into the title-favorites category during this past postseason.
This offseason, the “crazy” Thunder move is ranked as the second-best.
Throughout the offseason of current year, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been among the busiest teams.
Sam Presti and crew have been rearranging this title-hopeful roster quite a bit over the last few months with their wheeling and dealing methods, from bringing in promising young ballers like Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins on longer-term, cost-effective contracts to bringing in this summer’s top-billed center in Isaiah Hartenstein on the second day of free agency.
But for all the A-grade events Oklahoma City has been a part of, none appear to compare to the late-June trade that resulted in the acquisition of the much sought-after 3-and-D wing Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls.
Coaches, scouts, and league officials have said as much, at least, because the 18 people who participated in an ESPN survey recently rated the deal as the second-best NBA offseason move, only surpassed by Paul George’s signing with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Alex Caruso trade for Thunder is regarded as the second-best deal made this summer.
Caruso was a familiar name in the league’s trade rumors the whole previous season, frequently considered a highly sought-after player by clubs vying for championships.
Promising postseason teams, ranging from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Golden State Warriors, were rumored to have made offers for the veteran’s services. However, Chicago’s asking price was frequently viewed as being a little too high; in fact, Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer revealed that the team “would need multiple first-round picks to even consider” trading the wing.
In light of this, it is quite amazing that the Thunder were able to add him to their already strong squad without giving up any potential draft capital; one East scout even went so far as to describe it as “crazy.”
ALEX CARUSO FOR THE LEAD IN OT.@NBCSChicago | @ACFresh21 pic.twitter.com/UFugs7u70C
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 28, 2023
As previously mentioned, Caruso is one of the best 3-and-D wings in the league. Throughout his remarkable seven-year NBA career, he has accomplished a great deal, including being selected to two All-Defensive teams and winning an NBA Championship.
The 30-year-old’s greatest season to date was this one, as he averaged a career-high 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 40.8 percent from outside the arc and 46.8 percent from the floor.
In addition, Caruso recorded a new career high in blocks per game (1.0) and tied his career high in steals per game (1.7). He also recorded a very solid 113 defensive rating and a +2.3 defensive box plus-minus.
A simple trade like this is still unquestionably deserving of the attention it has been receiving lately, even though it must be acknowledged that Oklahoma City had to part ways with their extremely talented former lottery-selected guard Josh Giddey in order to acquire the wing. Giddey was coming off a down season and was clearly an odd fit in coach Mark Daigneault’s rotation.
