Nothing about NBA free agency is easy.

Tuesday afternoon, ESPN and USA TODAY Sports reported that Gordon Hayward intended to reunite with his college head coach Brad Stevens and sign with the Boston Celtics.

Hayward’s decision to leave Utah wouldn’t be a major surprise, and Stevens’ connection to Hayward got plenty of credit from the NBA world. But it didn’t last.

👀 — Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas) July 4, 2017

The lesson of this is hire John Calipari as your coach and convince 17 Kentucky grads to play for your team — Rodger Sherman (@rodger_sherman) July 4, 2017

I'm not giving Ainge an ounce of credit here. I'm looking squarely at Brad Stevens for getting Hayward to Boston — Avi Saini (@AvikarSaini) July 4, 2017

Brad Stevens right now pic.twitter.com/S4hgSyovon — Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) July 4, 2017

Live look at Brad Stevens… pic.twitter.com/qOcmE4KbyR — Nicholas W. Goss (@NickGossNESN) July 4, 2017

After the Hayward news first broke, Hayward’s agent told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that no decision had been made.

Gordon Hayward's agent, Mark Bartelstein, tells ESPN: "Gordon hasn't made a decision yet. We are still working through it." — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 4, 2017

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

This confusion is reminiscent of Dwight Howard’s free agency with his agent denying reports in order for Howard to make his own announcement. It was unclear what the case was with Hayward. Nonetheless, the developments sent the NBA world into a state of chaos.

My guess: Hayward picked the C's, word got out without the Jazz knowing, and they're trying to walk it back so he can tell the Jazz "first." — Royce Young (@royceyoung) July 4, 2017

My guess: Hayward and his camp want to inform teams and announce this on their terms. Still, giving hope and ripping it away is a bad look. — Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 4, 2017

WHAT IF Riley had Hayward's people leak out false info he's joining Boston just to stick it to Ainge before he announces it's Miami? pic.twitter.com/W7HfEgQDdm — Josh Baumgard (@joshbaumgard) July 4, 2017

PLEASE TELL ME THE JAZZ HAVE HAYWARD IN A HOUSE RIGHT NOW AND WE'RE GONNA GET MORE EMOJI TWEETS — Robby Kalland (@RKalland) July 4, 2017

Whatever happens with Hayward I hope it becomes tradition to have at least one NBA star hijack the 4th of July every year — Andrew Sharp (@andrewsharp) July 4, 2017

Gobert better lock Hayward in his house immediately. Take him to France, do something … — Shane Young (@YoungNBA) July 4, 2017

looking at all the new Gordon Hayward reports like pic.twitter.com/EIEt60hZ1B — SB Nation (@SBNation) July 4, 2017

Celtics fans finding out that Gordon Hayward hasn't made a decision yet. pic.twitter.com/4PWQCNnH8f — Dylan (@DylansFreshTake) July 4, 2017

Hayward probably putting the finishing touches on his Players Tribune free agency piece when he checks twitter pic.twitter.com/wzzeRjro3l — Basketball Forever (@Bballforeverfb) July 4, 2017

When you thought you had Hayward but reports are now saying untrue pic.twitter.com/WONqbpw9Zg — Abdul Memon (@abdulamemon) July 4, 2017

Gordon Hayward's agent rn pic.twitter.com/VawSOiLwIK — Hamoudi ツ (@14moodyz) July 4, 2017

The drama of NBA free agency really can’t be topped by any sport. It’s so good.