Hayward announced Thursday via social media that he has retired from professional basketball.
After an outstanding two-year collegiate run at Butler, Hayward entered the professional ranks and was selected by the Jazz with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. A one-time All-Star, Hayward carved out a productive 14-year career that included stops with the Celtics, Hornets and Thunder in addition to Utah. He appeared in 835 regular-season games, averaging 15.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 three-pointers in 30.7 minutes per contest. After struggling to see minutes with the Thunder following a midseason trade in 2023-24 before becoming a free agent this offseason, Hayward is opting to step away from the game rather than looking to catch on with a contender in a back-end rotation role.
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Thunder's Gordon Hayward: Struggles continue Saturday
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Hayward had four rebounds and one assist across eight minutes during Saturday's 106-85 victory over the Pelicans in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Hayward continues to be nothing more than a depth piece for the Thunder, logging just eight minutes in the victory. While he does provide the team with a veteran presence, Hayward is not viewed as a key on-court piece.
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Thunder's Gordon Hayward: Back to bench
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Hayward will return to a reserve role in Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Mavericks, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
With Josh Giddey back in the starting lineup, Hayward will come off the bench. The veteran forward has averaged 4.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 16.2 minutes in 22 games off the bench this season.
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Thunder's Gordon Hayward: Quiet in spot start
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Hayward posted six points (3-4 FG, 0-1 FT), six rebounds, two assists and two steals across 26 minutes during Friday's 125-107 victory over Milwaukee.
Hayward moved into the starting lineup, replacing Josh Giddey who was a late scratch due to a hip issue. Despite the promotion, Hayward failed to produce anything of note, continuing a disappointing trend. At this stage, his value to the team can be measured only in real life as opposed to fantasy.
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Thunder's Gordon Hayward: Enters starting lineup
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Hayward will start Friday's game against the Bucks, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.
Josh Giddey is out with a hip issue, so the Thunder will turn to the veteran. In 24 appearances with the Thunder, Hayward holds averages of 5.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
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Thunder's Gordon Hayward: Pops for 18 in return
Rotowire
Hayward accumulated 18 points (6-8 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 4-6 FT), one rebound and one steal in 20 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's 127-89 victory over the Spurs.
The veteran forward had missed the prior two games with a tibia injury, but Hayward came out firing Wednesday and produced his best scoring effort in a Thunder jersey, and his most productive game since he dropped 20 points on the Heat back on Dec. 13. Hayward has been a solid addition to OKC's second unit, but his minutes and usage don't make a repeat performance likely over the final two games of the regular season.
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Thunder's Gordon Hayward: Suiting up Wednesday
Rotowire
Hayward (tibia) will play Wednesday against the Spurs, Rylan Stiles of FanSided.com reports.
Hayward is back in action after a two-game absence due to a left posterior tibialis strain. He should resume his usual role off the bench, operating with minutes in the teens.
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Thunder's Gordon Hayward: Iffy for Wednesday
Rotowire
Hayward (lower leg) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game versus the Spurs.
Hayward is in danger of missing his third straight contest Wednesday due to a left posterior tibialis strain. If the veteran forward is ruled out, Aaron Wiggins will likely continue to receive increased playing time.
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Thunder's Gordon Hayward: Won't play Tuesday
Rotowire
Hayward (lower leg) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Kings.
Hayward will miss a second straight game due to a left posterior tibia strain. His next chance to suit up will come Wednesday versus the Spurs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quadriceps) isn't listed on the Thunder's injury report for Tuesday, while Jalen Williams (ankle) is questionable.
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Thunder's Gordon Hayward: Unavailable Sunday
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Hayward (tibia) has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus Charlotte.
Hayward will miss his first contest since initially suiting up for the Thunder on Feb. 22 while he recovers from a left posterior tibia strain. He has failed to capitalize of late even with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quadricep) and Jalen Williams (ankle) both amid multi-game absences, as Hayward is averaging just 4.7 points and 1.3 rebounds in 17.0 minutes while shooting 41.7 percent from the field across his last three games.
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Thunder's Gordon Hayward: Questionable vs. Charlotte
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Hayward (lower leg) is questionable to face the Hornets on Sunday.
Hayward departed Friday's game against the Pacers due to left lower leg soreness, and the same injury might keep him sidelined Sunday, but the Thunder will wait until Sunday to determine if he can suit up. If that's not the case, then Kenrich Williams could be in line to have a more significant role and could even start in Hayward's place.
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Thunder's Gordon Hayward: Won't return Friday
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Hayward won't return to Friday's game against the Pacers due to left lower leg soreness, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports. He finished with seven points (2-3 FG, 3-3 FT) and one steal in 13 minutes.
Hayward moved into the starting lineup Friday while Jalen Williams (ankle) missed a third straight game, but Hayward's night ended early due to an injury of his own. Kenrich Williams started the second half in his place and could have a sizable role in the short term if both Jalen Williams and Hayward aren't available for Sunday's game in Charlotte.
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Thunder's Gordon Hayward: Draws start Friday
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Hayward is starting Friday's game against Indiana, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
Hayward came off the bench in his last 11 appearances, but he'll return to the starting lineup Friday since Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace are retreating to the bench. In his lone start since joining the Thunder, Hayward logged nine points, five assists, four rebounds and a steal in 30 minutes during a loss to the Pacers on March 12.
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Thunder's Gordon Hayward: Unproductive in loss
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Hayward ended with zero points (0-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two rebounds, two assists and one steal across 18 minutes in Wednesday's 135-100 loss to the Celtics.
Since being traded to the Thunder on Feb. 8, Hayward has struggled to make a real impact, averaging 4.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 16.7 minutes on 38.8 percent shooting from the field. Prior to the trade, the 34-year-old averaged 14.5 points and 4.7 rebounds in 31.9 minutes and shot a respectable 46.8 percent from the field. Hayward should not be expected to provide any fantasy relevance as long as he is buried behind Jalen Williams, Luguentz Dort and Kenrich Williams.
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Thunder's Gordon Hayward: Moves back to bench role
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Hayward is not in the starting lineup to face the Mavericks on Thursday, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.
Hayward will return to his regular bench role with Jalen Williams (ankle) back in the starting lineup. Hayward is averaging just 4.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.4 steals per game since making his Thunder debut Feb. 22.
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Thunder's Gordon Hayward: Gets starting nod
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Hayward is in the starting five for Tuesday's game versus the Pacers, Rylan Stiles of FanSided.com reports.
Hayward will replace Jalen Williams (ankle) in the starting lineup Tuesday. Hayward is averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 31.9 minutes across his 25 starts this season, all of which came for the Hornets.
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Thunder's Gordon Hayward: Scores five points in win
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Hayward provided five points (2-3 FG, 1-1 3Pt), three rebounds and six assists in 18 minutes during Sunday's 124-93 win over the Grizzlies.
Hayward has played a very minor role since joining the Thunder, but if Jalen Williams misses time with an ankle injury, the veteran forward could find himself with a handful of additional minutes along with Cason Wallace and Kenrich Williams. Through 10 appearances with the Thunder, Hayward has averaged 3.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 15.6 minutes.
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Thunder's Gordon Hayward: Logs 14 minutes in debut
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Hayward totaled zero points (0-2 FG) and four rebounds over 14 minutes during Thursday's 129-107 victory over the Clippers.
Prior to Thursday, Hayward hadn't played since Dec. 26 due to a calf injury, so it's no surprise that he received limited run in his first game with the Thunder. Though he did well on the glass, the veteran looked rusty on offense and took on a minimal 6.3 percent usage rate. Hayward should see a slight uptick in playing time as he gets his legs back under him and becomes more familiar with the Thunder's system, but he likely won't come close to replicating the averages of 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 three-pointers he had posted in 25 appearances with the Hornets prior to getting traded to Oklahoma City earlier this month.
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Thunder's Gordon Hayward: Says he'll be available Thursday
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Hayward (calf) said Wednesday that he'll be available for Thursday's game against the Clippers, Andrew Schlecht of The Athletic reports.
Hayward hasn't played since Dec. 26 due to a calf injury, but he's cleared to make his Thunder debut Thursday. Given the lengthy absence, the veteran will presumably be eased into the rotation, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Hayward steal minutes away from Luguentz Dort and/or Josh Giddey if he plays well in Oklahoma City's system.
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Thunder's Gordon Hayward: Out through All-Star break
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Coach Mark Daigneault said Friday that Hayward (calf) won't suit up for the Thunder until after the All-Star break, Rylan Stiles of FanSided.com reports.
Hayward hasn't suited up since late December and will require a few more weeks before he's able to make his debut for his new team. However, Daigneault said that the Thunder were aware of the 33-year-old's return timetable when they traded for him, and Hayward will go through Oklahoma City's return to play protocols and integrate into the team while he continues to recover.
