Dear Gordon Hayward, did you pick the Celtics or not?

Ah, the Fourth of July.

The day we try to celebrate America but inevitably end up watching the wildest NBA decision of the year. In 2012, Steve Nash was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers from the Suns.

Two years ago, LaMarcus Aldridge decided to sign with the Spurs over the Suns. The same day, DeAndre Jordan agreed to sign a contract with the Mavericks before he changed his mind four days later.

The 2017 version we saw coming: Gordon Hayward of the Utah Jazz looked like he’d be on his way to join his college coach at Butler, Brad Stevens, and agree to join the Boston Celtics.

It happened. And then it didn’t.

Like Jordan, it seems Hayward is struggling with making choices himself.

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

— Tony Jones (@tribjazz) July 4, 2017

ESPN’s Chris Haynes was first to report Hayward’s decision, and USA Today’s Sam Amick also confirmed the former Jazz swingman was headed to Boston.

Then came ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who reported the Jazz hadn’t found out from Hayward himself.

Not a big deal, right? Maybe he was dialing them up that minute.

Wrong, because NBA.com’s David Aldridge dropped the hammer five minutes later. He said Hayward flat out hadn’t made a decision yet.

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 (@daldridgetnt) July 4, 2017

Hayward’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, then began confirming to NBA reporters there had been no decision made.

Apparently, the goal all along was to announce Hayward’s decision on July 4. But his agent then told The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach the group had to “regroup,” whatever that means.

Hayward's agent Mark Bartelstein on whether final word is coming today: "That was the goal, but now we've got to kind of regroup here a bit"

— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) July 4, 2017

The Utah Jazz’s president, Steve Starks, then went on Twitter to say Hayward had been communicating with him about his non-decision.

Then came the fun part.

Enter Heat center Hassan Whiteside, who’d been posting SnapChat recruiting videos about the fantastic city of Miami this year. The big man suggested that perhaps Pat Riley and Co. could still pull off a heist.

….Stay Woke pic.twitter.com/Yt8x0vpyCI

— Hassan Whiteside (@youngwhiteside) July 4, 2017

Meanwhile, those who took in the premature news on Twitter were already reacting. Isaiah Thomas’ wife posted a video of the Celtics point guard dancing.

Isaiah Thomas’ wife just posted this. I’m shaking… ☘ pic.twitter.com/V7tbbdHkqV

— Only In Boston (@OnlyInBOS) July 4, 2017

Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey was already congratulatory for friend Danny Ainge, who is in charge of the Boston front office.

Happy for @danielrainge @mikezarren @coachainge etc at @celtics – I know how much they have worked for this moment

— Daryl Morey (@dmorey) July 4, 2017

Over five hours after the initial report and much later in the day than expected, Hayward announced his decision on the Players’ Tribune that he is signing with the Boston Celtics.

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

— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) July 4, 2017

What can we learn from all this?

Maybe LeBron James holding a television special to announce his decision wasn’t the worst thing after all.

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