Career Timeline of Gordon Hayward: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Gordon Hayward made an impact.

Gordon Hayward is a former American professional basketball player who played 14 seasons in the NBA. He played for the Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, and Oklahoma City Thunder. His career involved notable performances and contributions to these teams.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2007: Senior Year

In 2007, during his senior year, Gordon Hayward averaged 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.

2008: State Championship and All-Star Selection

In 2008, Gordon Hayward and teammate Julian Mavunga led Brownsburg to the Indiana Class 4A state championship, with Hayward making the game-winning basket. He was also selected for the Indiana – Kentucky Boys All-Star Game.

2008: Freshman Season

In 2008, as a freshman with the Bulldogs, Hayward averaged 13.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

2009: Horizon League Honors and NCAA Tournament

In 2009, Gordon Hayward was named Horizon League Newcomer of the Year and selected to the All-Horizon League First Team. The Bulldogs received an at-large bid to the 2009 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament but lost in the First Round against the LSU Tigers.

May 2010: NBA Draft Consideration

In May 2010, after the 2010 NCAA basketball tournament, Gordon Hayward announced that he would forgo his final two seasons of college eligibility and enter the NBA draft, hiring Mark Bartelstein as his agent.

June 24, 2010: Drafted by Utah Jazz

On June 24, 2010, Gordon Hayward was selected as the ninth overall pick in the NBA draft by the Utah Jazz.

2010: NCAA Championship Loss

In 2010, Butler lost to Duke in the championship game of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. Gordon Hayward attempted a game-winning, buzzer-beating, half-court shot, which missed. Hayward was selected to the All-Tournament Team.

2010: Horizon League Player of the Year

In 2010, Gordon Hayward averaged 15.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore. He was named the Horizon League Player of the Year and selected to the All-Horizon League First Team. Hayward was also selected AP All-American Honorable Mention and ESPN Third-team Academic All-American.

2010: Rookie Season Start

In 2010, Gordon Hayward began his rookie season coming off the bench for the Utah Jazz.

2010: NCAA Tournament and NBA Draft

In 2010, Gordon Hayward led the Butler Bulldogs to the championship game of the NCAA tournament. Subsequently, he was selected by the Utah Jazz with the ninth overall pick of the 2010 NBA draft.

2010: First Postseason Victory Since 2010

The Jazz earned their first postseason victory since 2010.

April 5, 2011: Notable Performance Against Lakers

On April 5, 2011, Gordon Hayward had a noticeable performance in an 86–85 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, finishing with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.

2012: Sixth Man Role

During the 2012 season, Gordon Hayward primarily came off the bench as a sixth man, averaging a career high in points per game (11.8).

2012: Starting Lineup and Rising Stars Challenge

In 2012, Gordon Hayward established himself in the starting lineup for the Utah Jazz and was selected to play in the 2012 NBA Rising Stars Challenge game, recording 14 points for Team Chuck.

2013: New Offensive Threat

After the departure of Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson during the 2013 offseason, Gordon Hayward emerged as the Jazz's new offensive threat.

January 7, 2014: Career-High 37 Points

On January 7, 2014, Gordon Hayward scored a career-high 37 points in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

July 10, 2014: Maximum Contract Offer from Hornets

On July 10, 2014, Gordon Hayward received a four-year, $63 million maximum contract offer from the Charlotte Hornets.

July 12, 2014: Jazz Match Hornets Offer

On July 12, 2014, the Jazz matched the offer sheet from the Charlotte Hornets, re-signing Gordon Hayward.

November 14, 2014: Season-High 33 Points

On November 14, 2014, Gordon Hayward scored a season-high 33 points in a 102–100 win over the New York Knicks.

2015: Career High Averages

In 2015, Gordon Hayward averaged a career high in points per game.

January 18, 2016: Season-High 36 Points

On January 18, 2016, Gordon Hayward scored a season-high 36 points in a 124–119 double overtime loss to the Charlotte Hornets.

January 26, 2017: NBA All-Star Selection

On January 26, 2017, Gordon Hayward was selected to the 2017 NBA All-Star Game by the vote of Western Conference coaches.

February 9, 2017: Season-High 36 Points

On February 9, 2017, Gordon Hayward scored a season-high 36 points in a 112–105 overtime loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

March 2, 2017: Career-High 38 Points

On March 2, 2017, Gordon Hayward scored a career-high 38 points in a 107–100 loss to the Indiana Pacers.

April 7, 2017: Career High 39 Points

On April 7, 2017, Gordon Hayward set a new career high on April 7, 2017, scoring 39 points in a 120–113 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

April 21, 2017: Playoff Career-High 40 Points

On April 21, 2017, in Game 3 of the Jazz's first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers, Gordon Hayward scored a career-high 40 points in a 111–106 loss.

July 4, 2017: Announcement of Celtics Signing

On July 4, 2017, Gordon Hayward announced via The Players' Tribune that he would sign with the Boston Celtics.

2017: All-Star Selection and Celtics Signing

In 2017, Gordon Hayward was selected to the NBA All-Star Game during his tenure with the Utah Jazz. Later in the 2017 offseason, he signed as a free agent with the Boston Celtics.

October 16, 2018: Return to Regular Season Play

On October 16, 2018, Gordon Hayward played in his first regular season game since the ankle injury. He recorded 10 points and five rebounds in 25 minutes in a 105–87 season-opening win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

December 1, 2018: Season-High 30 Points

On December 1, 2018, Gordon Hayward scored a season-high 30 points in a 118–109 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

January 2, 2019: New Season-High 35 Points

On January 2, 2019, Gordon Hayward set a new season-high with 35 points in a 115–102 win over the Timberwolves.

November 5, 2019: Matches Career High

On November 5, 2019, Gordon Hayward matched his regular-season career high with 39 points in a 119–116 win over the Cavaliers.

December 9, 2019: Return From Injury

On December 9, 2019, Gordon Hayward returned from injury against the Cavaliers.

November 2020: Trade to Hornets

In November 2020, the Celtics traded Gordon Hayward to the Charlotte Hornets in a sign-and-trade agreement.

November 29, 2020: Sign-and-Trade to Hornets

On November 29, 2020, Gordon Hayward was signed by the Celtics to a four-year, $120 million deal and then traded to the Charlotte Hornets, along with 2023 and 2024 second-round draft picks, in exchange for a conditional 2022 second-round draft pick.

December 23, 2020: Hornets Debut

On December 23, 2020, Gordon Hayward made his Hornets debut, putting up 28 points, seven assists, and four rebounds in a 121–114 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

January 6, 2021: New Career-High of 44 Points

On January 6, 2021, Gordon Hayward set a new career-high of 44 points in a 102–94 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

December 5, 2021: Season-High 41 Points

On December 5, 2021, Gordon Hayward scored a season-high 41 points, alongside five rebounds and three assists, in a 131–115 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

February 24, 2023: Season-High Performance

On February 24, 2023, Gordon Hayward recorded season-highs of 27 points and 13 rebounds, alongside five assists and two steals, in a 121–113 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

February 8, 2024: Trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder

On February 8, 2024, Gordon Hayward was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Dāvis Bertāns, Tre Mann, Vasilije Micić, a 2024 second-round pick, a 2025 second-round pick, and cash considerations.