Gordon Hayward announced his retirement from basketball on Thursday, capping off a 14-year NBA career. Hayward, who made the All-Star team in 2017 as a member of the Utah Jazz, took to social media to express his gratitude, saying, “It’s been an incredible ride and I’m so grateful to everyone who helped me achieve more than I ever imagined.”
At 34 years old, Hayward leaves behind a legacy of consistency and resilience, having averaged 15.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists over 835 career games. His journey began at Butler University, where he led the Bulldogs to the 2010 NCAA championship game under coach Brad Stevens. His standout college career led the Utah Jazz to select him with the ninth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. Hayward spent seven seasons with the Jazz, steadily improving each year. His 2016-17 season was his peak, as he averaged 21.9 points on 59.5% true shooting, along with 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
In the summer of 2017, Hayward signed with the Boston Celtics as an unrestricted free agent, reuniting with his college coach, Brad Stevens. The move seemed poised to elevate Hayward to perennial All-Star status, but his fortunes took a dramatic turn. On opening night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Hayward suffered a devastating injury, fracturing his tibia and dislocating his ankle just minutes into the game. The injury sidelined him for the entire season, and although he returned to the Celtics in 2018-19, he never fully regained the form that made him an All-Star in Utah.
In 2020, Hayward became a free agent again and joined the Charlotte Hornets in a sign-and-trade deal. In his first season with the Hornets, he averaged 19.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, playing a key role in the development of LaMelo Ball during his rookie season. However, injuries continued to plague Hayward throughout his time in Charlotte. In February of this year, he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but his stint there was largely uneventful, as he was not part of the rotation for the final three games of their second-round series against the Dallas Mavericks.
Throughout his career, Hayward was known as a versatile and intelligent player. Early on and toward the end of his career, he excelled as a connective role player—a smart passer who could shoot, attack closeouts, and make sound decisions on offense while defending multiple positions effectively. In his prime, Hayward was more than that: he was a dynamic scorer who could finish through contact, score at all three levels, and serve as the No. 1 option for a 50-win team.
Though injuries shortened his peak, Gordon Hayward leaves behind a legacy of determination and skill that earned him respect across the league.
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