Gordon Hayward's Wife Responds To Husband's Reduced Role On Thunder Following GM's Criticism
Recent comments made by Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti set off one player's wife.
Veteran forward Gordon Hayward landed in OKC mid-season after the Thunder signed off on a trade with the Charlotte Hornets, hoping to add scoring and a seasoned presence to the young team.
Hayward was a ghost in OKC, landing outside of the team's starting rotation in the postseason, making the trade an outright failure.
OKC lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the semifinals.
Speaking at his exit interview Tuesday, Presti admitted to whiffing on the trade. In plain language, Presti said the trade didn't work out as he'd hoped and making the veteran appear like the odd-man out.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - SEPTEMBER 26: Oklahoma City Thunder General Manager Sam Presti speaks to media at preseason media availability at the Thunder ION on September 26, 2019 in Oklahoma City, OKlahoma. (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLESTOWN, MA - SEPTEMBER 12: Boston Celtics player Gordon Hayward and his wife Robyn Hayward at the Boston Premiere of STRONGER at Spaulding Rehab Center on September 12, 2017 in Charlestown, Massachusetts. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images for Roadside Attractions)
Presti said, "I missed on that. That's on me. But I'm learning. Trying to learn this team ... Just trying to be a great observer of this team as it's going through its paces ... I don't think I read that one perfect."
Hayward expressed similar disappointment in the move to OKC after the Thunder were eliminated in six games by Dallas.
"Disappointing with how it all kind of worked out," Hayward said last week. "Certainly frustrating. I feel as a player, I have a lot to offer. Just wasn't really given much of an opportunity to do that. I thought I would be given that opportunity."
The GM's comments didn't land with Gordon's wife, Robyn Hayward, who criticized Presti's stance by pointing out that OKC never gave Hayward an opportunity to get settled with the Thunder.
Robyn commented under a Bleacher Report post quoting Presti's exit interview and stood up for her husband.
"Why trade for someone and not play them? ... missed it by not integrating him," Robyn commented. She followed up her criticism toward Presti and the Thunder by shedding more light on what (supposedly) went into the trade discussions. According to Mrs. Hayward, Gordon Hayward voiced to Sam Presti that he didn't view OKC as a proper fit from the jump.
Credit: Bleacher Report / Instagram
"Since I have time today... before the trade Gordon told Sam he didn't think this trade made sense so how can you miss when the player told you," she added on Instagram.
The veteran forward, 34, now looks to bring scoring to a new team as he approaches unrestricted free-agent status. Hayward averaged 21.9 points for the Utah Jazz at the height of his career.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 21: Gordon Hayward #33 of the Oklahoma City Thunder warms up before tipoff against the New Orleans Pelicans in game one of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at the Paycom Center on April 21, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
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