Mark Halmas/Icon Sportswire
The Oklahoma City Thunder may have finished with the best record in the Western Conference during the 2023-24 NBA season, but they were eliminated in six games by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
The young, upstart Thunder arrived much quicker than expected as they tore through the regular season, though their youth and inexperience showed in their postseason matchup against the Mavericks.
Oklahoma City had a double-digit lead in the third quarter of Game 6, but somehow let go of the rope which allowed Dallas to storm back and close out the series.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren look like a trio worth investing in though acquiring some veteran help in the offseason should be a priority for general manager Sam Presti.
One player who didn’t see much action in the playoffs was Gordon Hayward who came to the team via trade midseason.
After the Thunder were eliminated, Hayward openly expressed his frustrations with his role via Joel Lorenzi of Oklahoman Sports.
“Disappointing with how it all kind of worked out,” Hayward said. “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.”
Gordon Hayward admits he was frustrated with his role in OKC
“Disappointing with how it all kind of worked out. 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… pic.twitter.com/DWOAYGXMSe
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 19, 2024
Hayward has dealt with several injuries in his career and is no longer the same versatile offensive weapon he used to be, but he could’ve likely contributed in certain spots.
Heading into the summer as a free agent, Hayward is unlikely to return to Oklahoma City which means other contending teams could scoop him up for a bargain.
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