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Paul George’s ‘Podcast P’ Sends Retirement Message to Gordon Hayward

Gordon Hayward called it a career. Paul George and his podcast sent a message to the retiring veteran.

Justin Grasso

Dec 26, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George (13) moves the ball against Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward (20) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George (13) moves the ball against Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward (20) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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One of Paul George’s past podcast guests and fellow NBA players called it a career this week.

On Thursday, the veteran free agent Gordon Hayward decided to hang up his sneaks and focus on life after basketball.

As a past guest on Paul George’s ‘Podcast P’ show, the official X account shared a message, along with a thread of stories for Hayward after his big announcement.

Being in the NBA since 2010, Hayward has had a successful run after becoming the ninth overall pick by the Utah Jazz out of Butler.

Through the first seven years of his career, Hayward starred for the Jazz. During the 2016-2017 NBA season, Hayward earned his first All-Star nod after averaging 22 points on 40 percent shooting from deep.

The Western Conference standout moved East to sign with the Boston Celtics. When Hayward initially became a direct rival of the 76ers’, his first season in Boston ended in game one after he suffered a major injury. Hayward would stick around in Boston for two full seasons.

Ahead of the 2020-2021 season, Hayward was involved in a sign-and-trade between the Celtics and the Charlotte Hornets. For three seasons, Hayward competed for a Hornets team that struggled to compete for a spot in the playoffs. In his fourth season with the Hornets, Hayward was dealt away to the OKC Thunder.

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Last season, Hayward appeared in 26 games for the Thunder. He produced five points and three rebounds per game. The veteran hit on 45 percent of his field goals.

While Hayward was viewed as a potential veteran addition to several playoff-contending squads, he chose to enter retirement after 14 seasons.

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Justin Grasso

JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA

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