Celtics Officially Trade Gordon Hayward to the Hornets

People thought Gordon Hayward was nuts for declining his player-option of $34 million. Less than a week later, Hayward signed a massive $120 million contract with the Charlotte Hornets, and now all of a sudden he doesn't look so crazy. 

Today, Hayward to the Hornets became official and it wasn't before the Celtics worked it out to a sign-and-trade to reek a serious benefit for Hayward leaving.

We have traded Gordon Hayward and 2 future second round draft picks to the @hornets in exchange for a conditional future second round draft pick. The sign-and-trade agreement also creates a trade exception for Boston.

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 29, 2020

The deal gives the Celtics some more money to work with if they want to acquire another player at some point before or during next season. A trade exception lasts one year from the day it's created. The Celtics can now acquire a player via trade without having to send offsetting salaries in exchange. 

Correction

Trade exception is $28.5M

Still the largest in league history https://t.co/i0VLdWCvCU

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 29, 2020

Hayward never lived up to the hype in Bean Town and couldn't stay healthy. He averaged 13.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists over his three seasons.

To the city of Boston, thank you for embracing me as your own these last 3 years. I cannot say thank you enough to all the fans, my teammates, coaches and everyone in the organization I built such strong relationships with. pic.twitter.com/xsxD05EVKz

— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) November 21, 2020

Photo credit:  Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire 

Gordon Hayward’s best attempt at cooking a turkey 😅

(via robynmhayward/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/UkiXHQAo2l

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 26, 2020