Happy Birthday Gordon Hayward! Top 3 moments as a Charlotte Hornet

SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 15: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Charlotte Hornets celebrates with teammates after a basket in the second half at AT&T Center on December 15 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /

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Gordon Hayward turns 33 today. Hayward has been with the Charlotte Hornets since the 2020-2021 NBA season. His signing was a surprise to many around the league. Following a productive, but injury-plagued season in Boston, many expected Hayward to accept his player option of $34 million dollars. When he declined, it was newsworthy. Signing with Charlotte was downright shocking.

Part of the reason no one expected the former All-star to sign with the Hornets was because of something General Manager Mitch Kupchak said earlier the previous season. He mentioned wanting to slowly build through the draft, and not being active in free agency. Perhaps with LaMelo Ball’s drafting, surrounding him with talent became the number one priority.

Regardless of the reason, Hayward was not only a talented player, but arguably the best free agent acquisition in the Michael Jordan era of the Charlotte basketball franchise. Considering that it’s his 33rd birthday, let’s take a look back at his three best games wearing the Hornets jersey.

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