The Oklahoma City Thunder recently made headlines for their treatment of former stars Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. Now, they are in the spotlight again with the unexpected retirement of star player Gordon Hayward.
After 14 NBA seasons, Hayward announced his retirement in a heartfelt statement posted on X.
“God has blessed me with an amazing journey, one that has taken turns I couldn’t have expected or dreamed of as a kid in Brownsburg, Indiana. Today, I am officially retiring from the game of basketball. It’s been an incredible ride, and I’m so grateful to everyone who helped me achieve more than I ever imagined,” Hayward shared.
Hayward joined the Oklahoma City Thunder last season after being traded midseason by the Charlotte Hornets.
Despite high hopes, Gordon Hayward’s addition did not bring the anticipated success to the team’s playoff run. Thunder general manager Sam Presti expressed his disappointment in the decision to bring Hayward on board.
“I missed on that. That’s on me. But I’m learning; I’m trying to learn this team; I’m trying to learn the pace of the team a little bit. And trying to be a great observer of the team as it’s going through its paces, knowing that it’s really going to change on its own in and of itself,” Presti said.
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Gordon Hayward’s NBA Career Highlights
Gordon Hayward started his NBA career as the ninth overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft, chosen by the Utah Jazz. In Utah, he achieved the honor of becoming a 2017 NBA All-Star.
Hayward’s final season was split between the Charlotte Hornets and the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he averaged 9.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 51 games. The 34-year-old star also had stints with the Boston Celtics.
With his retirement, Gordon Hayward concludes his NBA career with averages of 15.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.
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