Free agent forward Gordon Hayward has chosen to retire after 14 years in the NBA. He posted his decision on his social media platform on Thursday morning.
“Today, I am officially retiring from the game of basketball,” he wrote. “It’s been an incredible ride and I am so grateful to everyone who helped me achieve more than I ever imagined.”
Hayward, 34 years-of-age, made his way onto the national scene and into America’s heart in 2010 when he led the Butler Bulldogs to the NCAA Championship game, coming up just short on a game-winning halfcourt heave at the final buzzer against coach Mike Krzyzewski and the Duke Blue Devils.
The Utah Jazz selected him in the lottery with the ninth overall pick in that year’s draft. He spent the first seven years of his career in Salt Lake City with the Jazz and made the All-Star team in his final season with the organization. He exited Utah on a four-year, $128M deal with the Boston Celtics, but his career was halted by a catastrophic left leg injury in his first regular-season game with the Celtics.
He left the Celtics in 2020 after declining his player option and was dealt to the Charlotte Hornets in November 2020 via a sign-and-trade, signing a four-year, $120M deal in the process. However, his years in Charlotte were a disappointment as injuries mounted and he was unable to lift the franchise into a postseason appearance.
Embed from Getty ImagesHayward’s career ended with the Oklahoma City Thunder after he was traded by the Hornets at last season’s February trade deadline. Hayward had next to no role with the Thunder, who finished with the first-place record in the Western Conference, 57-25 and expressed anger and frustration after the team was eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks.
“Obviously disappointing with kind of how it all worked out. This is not what I thought it would be. Certainly frustrating. … We have a great team here with great young players, a great coach. So, the future is bright,” Hayward said, adding, “I feel like as a player I have a lot to offer. I just wasn’t given much of an opportunity to do that.”
However, a month after free agency began, Hayward decided to call it quits.
In 835 career regular-season appearances, Hayward averaged 15.2, 4.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 30.7 minutes. He also saw action in 36 playoff games, averaging 12.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
“As I move to spend more time with my family as a father and husband, I look forward to new adventures and challenges, taking with me the lessons I’ve learned on the court that will guide me across my next chapters, both in business and in life.
“I can’t wait for what’s next!”
