Sam Amick, one of the guys who initially reported the signing, tweeted:
Gordon Hayward's agent, Mark Bartelstein, is indeed saying he hasn't made decision yet. Meanwhile, Celtics celebrating his alleged decision.
Zach Lowe retweeted, adding that he's receiving the same info.
It sounds very possible to me that Hayward told the Celtics he's coming before he told the Jazz and now it's out but Hayward/his people are denying it because they want to announce their way.
I mean, this has always been the more likely/logical scenario than numerous reputable reporters getting the same thing wrong all simultaneously.
EDIT: But at this point, he's doing more damage to himself with the cover-up than the original issue.
I don't understand how he's doing damage to himself by waiting to make the announcement his own way.
Every hour that passes frustrates the participating fan bases more and more. It also p---es off agents and free agents of players who are waiting out the Hayward decision and frustrates and hamstrings the front offices of the teams involved because not all their back up plans are willing to wait him out.
Yeah, it's frustrating for us but if it's information Hayward doesn't want public yet, that frustration isn't on him its on the reporters who are putting this stuff out there.
The frustration is still directed at him and he has the ability to stem it.
Not his fault but he knows that the longer he drags this out the worse it is for his image and reputation.
Agreed. If he's really not resigning in Utah then's he's ripping their hearts out, giving them a glimmer of hope, just to rip out their hearts again. That's brutal and unnecessary. The only way this salvages his rep is if he stays.
Now, I'm not saying that's what I think is happening. But I don't understand the thought process that walking it back and trying to save the announcement to do on his own terms is logical or a good PR move.