Following Gordon Haywad’s recent announcement of retirement, Thunder supporters respond.
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
— (@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.
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.