Gordon Hayward, a 14-year NBA veteran, revealed on social media Thursday that he will retire. Hayward, the Utah Jazz's ninth overall choice in the 2010 NBA draft, was an All-Star in 2017 before signing as a free agency with the Boston Celtics that summer. Hayward had a devastating leg injury in his first game for Boston, which lost him the season and required another to get back into form.
Hayward, the Utah Jazz's ninth overall choice in the 2010 NBA draft, was an All-Star in 2017 before signing as a free agency with the Boston Celtics that summer. Hayward had a devastating leg injury in his first game for Boston, which lost him the season and required another to get back into form.
Oklahoma City Thunder signed Hayward for a stint in the second part of the season as they attempted a playoff push. Oklahoma City received the first seed in the Western Conference before being ousted in the second round. Hayward did not score a single point during the Thunder's postseason run, and general manager Sam Presti saw his signing as a "miss."
Thank you 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/fqbw3WML0n
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) August 1, 2024
Hayward played 51 games for the Charlotte Hornets and Oklahoma City Thunder last season, averaging 9.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. He was moved to Oklahoma City in the middle of the season as part of a deal aimed at improving the Thunder's playoff chances. Hayward, on the other hand, went seven postseason games without scoring a single point. Hayward, 34, finished his NBA career with an average of 15.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.
Stellar collegiate career at Butler Bulldogs
Following a stellar collegiate career at Butler, where he helped the Bulldogs defeat Duke in the 2010 title game, Hayward joined the NBA. He attempted a buzzer-beating, half-court jumper that would have won Butler the championship, but it rimmed out. Hayward, an All-Star in 2017, never fully recovered from a broken tibia and dislocated ankle sustained in his first game with the Boston Celtics during the 2017-18 season.
Here are twitter reaction to this news:
Really wish you could’ve won a ring in Boston…. Regardless Great career enjoy retirement brother 🫡
— CELTICS ☘️ BANNER 19 (@BiggLynch) August 1, 2024
Thanks for the memories.
— Lance D (@LanceLovesHeels) August 1, 2024
Thank you as well, Gordon Hayward! Always a Celtic!! ☘️ Have a fabulous retirement!
— Celtics Vibe (@CelticsVibe) August 1, 2024
Loved playing you on NBA Mobile💯
— Jmag (@Jmagings) August 1, 2024
Forever a hornet legend 👏🏻
— NbaYounger (@nba77younger) August 1, 2024
Congrats on a great career 🫡
— Chess.com (@chesscom) August 1, 2024
One of the most underrated players
— Revengeful (Justin) (@Revngeful) August 1, 2024