Timeline: Gordon Hayward's 4th of July free agency rollercoaster

Gordon Hayward's free agency decision was expected to be announced Tuesday. Then things took a turn.

It appeared Gordon Hayward had made a decision Tuesday about where he would be playing next season. However, as the news started to come in that Hayward was heading to the Boston Celtics, more reports started to come in that the All-Star forward had actually not decided on where he was headed. After allowing the circus to die down a bit, Hayward announced he was going to Boston. 

The Hayward saga has been captivating Twitter throughout the day, given the volume of reports and his status as the biggest free agent left on the board. Let’s run through how the Hayward news broke throughout the day.

It all started with who was following whom on Instagram.

If you guys are trying to read the tea leaves and start pre-writing your posts, here's who Hayward's trainer followed recently on IG: pic.twitter.com/gw0xvMGiuT

— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) July 4, 2017

Gordon Hayward’s trainer apparently just followed all the Celtics on Instagram

Then, the idea of Hayward heading to Boston started to seem like a reality.

Free-agent Gordon Hayward plans to sign with the Boston Celtics, league sources tell ESPN.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 4, 2017

And then it didn't.

The Utah Jazz are still waiting to be told of Gordon Hayward's intentions, league source tells ESPN. Hayward hasn't told them his plans yet.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 4, 2017

But not everybody got the message.

😔

— Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) July 4, 2017

Soon enough however, more people started to report that Hayward to the Celtics was not a done deal just yet. His agent went on the record saying so. It was cloudy.

Okay. Strap in. Told by a source w/knowledge of the process that Gordon Hayward has NOT made a decision yet & is still in the process. FWIW.

— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 4, 2017

Gordon Hayward's agent, Mark Bartelstein, tells ESPN: "Gordon hasn't made a decision yet. We are still working through it."

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 4, 2017

Gordon Hayward's agent, Mark Bartelstein, is indeed saying he hasn't made decision yet. Meanwhile, Celtics celebrating his alleged decision.

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 4, 2017

Among the Celtics who celebrated the "decision" was point guard Isaiah Thomas.

But that celebration was indeed premature, as more information started to come out of Utah.

We trust Gordon and his agent that no decision has been made. Good communication all day and a great relationship.

— Steve Starks (@StevenStarks) July 4, 2017

League source tells me "Gordon has changed his mind four times in the last four days"

— tribjazz (@tribjazz) July 4, 2017

Some were not pleased with how the drama was unfolding.

Fellow NBA free agents are annoyed by this Gordon Hayward mess. They've been waiting on the GH domino to fall, and now it's being drawn out.

— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 4, 2017

But as the day turned to night, Hayward finally spoke up.

Thank You, Utah. https://t.co/ICfocNeZfW

— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) July 4, 2017

Then the contract details came in.

Hayward receives a player option in the fourth year of his Boston contract, league sources tell The Vertical. https://t.co/mCP9r5wdXz

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 4, 2017

Along with the next move for Boston.

Boston has renounced restricted free agent Kelly Olynyk, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent, league sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 5, 2017

The disappointment from Jazz fans.

Utah's new free agent target.

Sources: The Jazz plan to make Wizards restricted free agent Otto Porter a priority after losing Gordon Hayward.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) July 5, 2017

And the reactions to the news becoming official.

Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey wishes Hayward family "the very best," and tells ESPN: "We have a good young core and we are going to compete."

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 5, 2017

Ahora es! 💪☘️welcome @gordonhayward

— Al Horford (@Al_Horford) July 5, 2017

Danny Ainge gets his man... 🍀 pic.twitter.com/q4lldlgHDa

— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 5, 2017

Gordon, thank you from the Miller Family and the Utah Jazz. pic.twitter.com/FEVCNBWMGv

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) July 5, 2017

Um ... it's safe to say Rudy Gobert found out about Gordon Hayward signing with Boston.

(📹 rudygobert27 | Instagram) pic.twitter.com/QdiT5olQxD

— SB Nation (@SBNation) July 5, 2017

In 2015 it was LaMarcus Aldridge who made his decision on the Fourth of July. Last year it was Kevin Durant. Which free agent will takeover the Independence Day news cycle next year? There's a long list of All-Stars and future Hall of Famers who will be on the market next off-season and a year to speculate.