Gordon Hayward Showing Off Ultra Efficiency in Bench Role

Oklahoma City’s trade deadline addition is finding his footing with the top team in the Western Conference.

When Gordon Hayward was first traded to Oklahoma City, it felt like a very promising fit for both sides. Hayward’s play style fits the Thunder’s as he’s an extremely high IQ player that can do a multitude of things.

He also provides flexibility with his size, which is something OKC has always valued. Joining a team in the middle of the season isn’t always easy, though, and especially the best team in the conference. Oklahoma City has tons of chemistry as a team, and it’s hard to match that chemistry with a mid season trade. There’s also the fact that Hayward hadn’t played since mid-December and jumped right into the action in OKC.

Of course there was going to be some rust to shake off. In his first few games with the team, Hayward looked a bit uncomfortable, and that was to be expected. He’s always been a feature player that had the ball in his hands a lot.

Learning how to play next to Oklahoma City’s elite isolation players in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams would take time. Over the last two weeks though, Hayward has looked much more comfortable in a reduced, efficient role. He looks much more confident when he shoots the ball and has been a solid addition on both ends of the floor.

It’s certainly a promising stretch with the playoffs on the horizon. In the last seven games, Hayward has registered an average of 6.6 points, 2.9 assists, and 2.0 rebounds on 64% from the floor and 63.6% from 3-point range. His catch-and-shoot trigger has looked much more natural over the last handful of contests.

On Wednesday night, Hayward drilled two triples in the second quarter and didn’t think twice about hoisting. His style of play has been refreshing, as it’s rarely isolation basketball and almost always slashing and making the extra pass.

If he can provide the efficiency he’s playing with in 20 minutes per game off the bench for the Thunder in the playoffs, it’s a big win. He has been a better passer than advertised and is still finding his stride around the rim. But knocking down open 3-pointers and playing smart basketball will do wonders for this team late in the season.

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