Boston Celtics leader of basketball operations Danny Ainge wanted Gordon Hayward back in Boston however he realized it was a chance Hayward wouldn’t return.
Gordon Hayward, 30, in fact favored a new team.
Charlotte general manager Mitch Kupchak didn’t think his team got an opportunity to sign Hayward.
Ainge didn’t get his desire. Kupchak ended up being amazed and Hayward is a Charlotte Hornet in the unexpected move of NBA free agency in 2020.
Rather than getting back to Boston for the last year of his contact, Hayward picked into free agency and signed a four-year, $120 million agreement with the Hornets, who sought after him in 2014.
The one-time All-Star disclosed his decision to leave a conference finals team and join the Hornets, who have a youthful roster, haven’t made the playoffs in the previous four seasons and haven’t won a playoff series since the NBA took a franchise back to Charlotte in 2004-05.
“I never forgot the commitment and the potential that (Hornets owner) Michael (Jordan) and the organization saw in me years ago when they gave me an offer sheet and had signed that to come here back then and ultimately I got matched (by Utah),” Hayward said Tuesday in his first media availability with Charlotte. “That for sure was one thing but then more than that, just whole vision that the organization had, the front office as well as Coach Borrego of where this team could go, where they could get to, how they believed they could utilize me and the impact that they believed that I could have.”
Indeed, a long-term deal worth $120 million for a player who managed wounds during his three seasons in Boston played a role in his decision.
However, in the event that you tune in to Hayward, he additionally savors a bigger job that wasn’t introducing itself in Boston as Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum arose. Hayward arrived at the midpoint of 17.5 focuses, 6.7 bounce back and 4.1 helps and shot half from the field.
He can bring his experience and ability – he says he’s as yet in the prime of his vocation and preferences what the Hornets are attempting to do with a youthful list that highlights P.J. Washington, Miles Bridges, Terry Rozier, Devonte’ Graham and 2020 draft picks LaMelo Ball (third by and large), Vernon Carey Jr. (32nd) and Grant Riller (56th).
“The potential is there for these young guys, so I’m excited,” Hayward said. “Having the ability to help us get to the next level, I think I’m somebody who can do a little bit of everything. The thing I like to do most is play-make and create for others. Obviously in my career, I’ve done the scoring thing as well. I’m versatile. I can just help us try to impact our time with winning as much as possible. The pieces are there in place.
“Sometimes with a young team you just need to get over that initial hump to get to that next level. I’m excited about that opportunity and that challenge. Certainly, there’s a lot of work that needs to be done. There’s no doubt about that.”
Hayward said he has no hostility toward the Celtics and wasn’t contemplating leaving while Boston played in the bubble.
“I had an unbelievable time in Boston,” he said. “I think it’s unfortunate what happened. Obviously, I had a freak injury right when I got there (season-ending fracture tibia and dislocated ankle in the 2017-18 season-opener). There’s a lot of things that were out of my control when I was in Boston. But like I said, I had a great time there. Still have great relationships with the people there and teammates and coaches, and my wife and I built relationships with members of the community and to this day, we still talk to them.”
