Sources: Boston Celtics' Gordon Hayward opts out, will be free agent

Gordon Hayward opted out of his $34.2 million contract with the Boston Celtics for the 2020-21 season Thursday afternoon, making him an unrestricted free agent beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, league sources tell ESPN.

Hayward, who averaged 17.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 52 games for the Celtics this season, originally had to make a decision on whether to opt in or out of his contract by 5 p.m. Tuesday, before both sides agreed to move that decision back to Thursday afternoon to leave more time to assess the situation.

Ultimately, though, Hayward chose to become an unrestricted free agent -- making him the biggest name to hit the open market this offseason, and his future the number…