TUESDAY
8:17 p.m.: Hayward has announced he’s joining the Celtics.
Thank You, Utah. https://t.co/ICfocNeZfW
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) July 4, 2017
7:41 p.m.: The Heat might have been eliminated from contention.
.@wojespn on ESPN: Gordon Hayward's family has narrowed decision to #Celtics & #Jazz. #Heat officially waiting to be told they're out.
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) July 4, 2017
7:37 p.m.: This might take a while.
Woj on ESPN says Hayward has gone dark.
— James Stewart ☝️ (@IAmJamesStewart) July 4, 2017
6:30 p.m.: Radio silence from Hayward.
As of 6:30 eastern, Celtics still have not received word.
— Mark Murphy (@Murf56) July 4, 2017
4:51 p.m.: Well, Gordon Hayward was a member of the Boston Celtics for a few minutes Tuesday.
ESPN’s Chris Haynes reported Hayward picked the Celtics over the Utah Jazz and Miami Heat, but his colleague, Adrian Wojnarowski, tweeted shortly after that Hayward’s agent said his client hadn’t made a decision yet. Conflicting reports flooded Twitter, and a simple story turned into an absolute mess pretty quickly.
Reporters and analysts had some speculation as to what was going on, surmising that the leak might have come out before Hayward had a chance to speak to the Jazz or that the Celtics were working on a sign-and-trade deal with Utah. We gathered up everything we know so far to make it a little clearer for you.
Click to read about Gordon Hayward’s bizarre free agency saga >>
MONDAY
10:50 p.m.: A final decision will come July 4.
Gordon Hayward will sleep on his decision to go to Utah, Boston, or Miami, I'm told. Another July 4 declaration it is…
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 4, 2017
At the risk of tugging at Jazz fans' heart strings, I'm told Utah made a very strong impression on Gordon Hayward & he's genuinely torn.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 4, 2017
7:44 p.m.: Hayward’s meetings with the Heat, Celtics and Jazz are over. The next update could be a decision. Stay tuned.
Source: Jazz meeting w/ Gordon Hayward in San Diego, 3.5 hours, with @rickyrubio9 flying from Spain to pitch partnership. Decision looms.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 3, 2017
5:43 p.m.: Here’s an update on the Jazz/Hayward meeting.
The Jazz meeting with Gordon Hayward is ongoing, sources tell The Tribune
— tribjazz (@tribjazz) July 3, 2017
12:15 p.m.: If you’re holding off on the cookout to see where Hayward’s going to land, it’s probably safe to go out and fire up the grill. It looks like he’s going to (rightfully) take his time with the decision.
Source says Gordon Hayward isn't locked into any timeline on deciding. Wants to get through meeting with Jazz today and then will regroup.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) July 3, 2017
10:05 a.m.: Here’s a little insight as to what the Celtics sold Hayward on during their meeting Sunday.
8:45 a.m.: Monday figures to be a big day for Hayward and the teams interested in his services. He’ll meet with the Jazz in San Diego, according to reports, and the Boston Herald’s Steve Bulpett reported his decision could come as soon Monday.
“There are reports Hayward plans to make his decision known by (Tuesday) or Wednesday, but a source close to the player said he could let teams know his decision as early as (Monday night),” the Bulpett wrote Monday morning.
SUNDAY
10:05 p.m.: Here’s an update on Boston’s meeting with Hayward.
NBA source on #Celtics-Hayward meeting: "Felt like the communication was excellent and the case was made for Gordon being a great fit.”
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) July 3, 2017
7:53 p.m.: An Instagram update from Hayward’s wife, Robyn:
6:53 p.m.: The Celtics’ pitch to Hayward is over.
Gordon Hayward meeting with #Celtics has concluded, according to a source. He now heads to San Diego to meet with the #Jazz on Monday
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) July 2, 2017
4:52 p.m.: We could have a decision from Hayward by the middle of next week.
Source said he hopes to make a decision by Tuesday or Wednesday https://t.co/Ij4o7ZgvPf
— tribjazz (@tribjazz) July 2, 2017
4:30 p.m.: Additional details on Hayward’s meeting with the Jazz on Monday have been reported.
Gordon Hayward will meet with Quin Snyder, Dennis Lindsey and Steve Starks in San Diego on Monday, not Utah, according to sources.
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) July 2, 2017
11 a.m.: The Celtics are taking Hayward around Boston and apparently are catching a Red Sox game with the free agent.
Gordon Hayward's tour of Boston sounds like it has begun. Celtics brass and Isaiah Thomas spotted at Fenway Park.
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) July 2, 2017
Boston’s recruiting pitch features a video, which is being played on the Fenway Park video board.
Six-minute video included Kobe and LeBron talking about Boston. Culminated with message from David Ortiz. https://t.co/Tsi7x5Vrbx
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) July 2, 2017
SATURDAY, JULY 1
10:30 p.m.: Jazz center Rudy Gobert apparently has used Twitter to take shots at Hayward’s suitors.
🌴🗑☘️💩🎷🏆
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) July 2, 2017
Some have loosly translated Gobert’s tweet as “Miami is trash, Celtics are poop and Jazz are champions.”
Gobert exposed himself to ridicule, and Miami’s Hassan Whiteside and Boston’s Isaiah Thomas fired back.
https://twitter.com/Isaiah_Thomas/status/881357549584252929
https://twitter.com/youngwhiteside/status/881360855186776065
10:01 p.m.: Utah re-signing Joe Ingles should help its case in retaining Hayward.
Ingles is one of Gordon Hayward's closest friends on team, and shares Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports as an agent. https://t.co/vFNy2mQfLv
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2017
4:34 p.m.: Makes sense.
Celtics will keep their meeting with Gordon Hayward relatively small tomorrow, with IT, Horford, Brad Stevens, Danny Ainge and ownership.
— Mark Murphy (@Murf56) July 1, 2017
1:20 p.m.: Bad news for the Celtics.
Three league sources sense the current favorite for Gordon Hayward is Miami. Reasons: better lifestyle, Spoelstra, "feature scoring role."
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) July 1, 2017
12:58 a.m.: Gordon Hayward has his free agency tour set.
.@wojespn confirms Gordon Hayward's meeting order: #Heat Saturday (today), #Celtics Sunday, #Jazz Monday. "A lot of confidence in Utah."
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) July 1, 2017
12:01 a.m.: Free agency has begun, and teams now can meet with players and agree to contracts. Deals cannot become official until July 8, though.
THURSDAY, JUNE 29
Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward is one of the top NBA free agents on the market, and several teams are interested in his services.
Hayward has meetings lined up this weekend with the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and Utah Jazz, per ESPN’s Marc Stein, setting the stage for some potential fireworks on July 4.
The 27-year-old star has been linked with the Celtics on several occasions, with the obvious connection being Boston head coach Brad Stevens, who recruited Hayward to Butler University and coached him for four years.
But the C’s appear to have stiff competition for Hayward, who averaged a career-high 21.9 points per game last season.
Keep it right here for the latest rumors, news and info surrounding Hayward’s free agency (all times Eastern).
Thumbnail photo via David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports Images
