Michael Jordan called Gordon Hayward to close $120M deal

Hornets owner Michael Jordan Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Jordan called Gordon Hayward Friday to close $120M deal

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 11/21/20

It's probably hard to turn down an offer from Michael Jordan. It's even harder if the Chicago Bulls legend gives you a call and asks you to play for the team he owns.

According to ESPN's Zach Lowe, Jordan called Gordon Hayward on Friday night in order to close the four-year, $120 million deal he signed with the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday.

Michael Jordan called Gordon Hayward late last night in an effort to close the deal for Charlotte, Hayward tells ESPN today. Hayward obviously remembers how MJ and Hornets signed him to an offer sheet in restricted free agency in 2014.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) November 21, 2020

It's not a surprise that Jordan was heavily involved in getting Hayward to Charlotte. Six years ago, Hayward and the Hornets agreed to a four-year offer sheet, but the Jazz came in and matched the offer to keep him in Utah.

Hayward signed a deal with the Boston Celtics in 2017, but decided to decline his $34.2 million player option for the 2020-21 campaign this week, making him a free agent.

The 30-year-old was also receiving interest from his hometown Indiana Pacers, who the Celtics hoped to pull off a sign-and-trade deal with, and the New York Knicks.

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