Gordon Hayward, a former NBA All-Star, has announced his retirement from professional basketball after a 14-year career. He was drafted ninth overall by the Utah Jazz in 2010 and had significant success during his seven seasons there, notably earning an All-Star selection in 2017. However, his time in the league was marred by injuries, particularly a devastating leg injury shortly after joining the Boston Celtics in 2017, which hindered his performance. Hayward concluded his career after playing for the Charlotte Hornets and Oklahoma City Thunder, with his final season seeing him average 9.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. Thunder general manager Sam Presti reflected on the team's missed expectations regarding Hayward's impact. In his retirement announcement, Hayward expressed gratitude for his journey and the support he received throughout his career.