(Photo by Brien Aho/Getty Images)
Gordon Hayward has now retired from the NBA after 14 years of impressing fans.
During that time, he played for the Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, and ultimately the Oklahoma City Thunder.
But there was a moment when Hayward almost played for the Miami Heat.
Speaking on the “Dan LeBatard Show,” per NBACentral, Hayward said he nearly signed to the Heat back in 2017.
According to Hayward:
“I remember vividly telling my agent after each meeting, like I started with Miami, and I’m like, ‘I want to go to Miami. We don’t even need to do the other meetings.’ Miami is the place I want to be, and he kind of was like, ‘Well, we got to hear everyone out.’ The Heat have always been a first-class organization, so I was really, really close to signing there. I feel like Spo is one of the best coaches in the league, and obviously, Pat Riley is legendary in his own right. I was very close. Also, my brother-in-law lives in Miami. My wife would have loved living there and the beach and everything, but ultimately decided to go to Boston.”
Gordon Hayward reveals that he was set on signing with Miami in 2017
“I remember vividly telling my agent after each meeting, like I started with Miami, and I’m like, ‘I want to go to Miami. We don’t even need to do the other meetings.’ Miami is the place I want to be, and he… pic.twitter.com/4RZGzbF3nI
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 8, 2024
This moment in Hayward’s career came after he spent seven seasons with the Jazz.
During that time, he averaged 15.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.
He was one of the most exciting young players in the league and was the face of the Jazz during his seven seasons with them.
At that time, multiple teams wanted to sign the star and it sounds like the Heat could have had him.
Ultimately, he went with the Celtics, and his time in Boston was met with many challenges.
He was injured during his very first game with the Celtics and missed the entire season.
Some fans say he was never the same after that even years later during his time with the Hornets and Thunder.
Hayward has retired now but people will always wonder what would have happened had he moved to Miami.
The post Gordon Hayward Says He Almost Signed With Heat In 2017 appeared first on The Cold Wire.