Gobert disappointed to learn of Hayward's departure via Twitter

Rudy Gobert found out about Gordon Hayward's free-agent decision the same way you probably did.

After months of publicly pushing for his teammate to stay with the Utah Jazz, Gobert learned on social media that Hayward is leaving to pursue a ring with the Boston Celtics.

"I found out on Twitter," the All-NBA center told KSL.com's Andy Larsen while taking in summer league action in Las Vegas. "I was kind of expecting it. But I was disappointed to see it on Twitter."

Hayward, an unrestricted free agent, revealed last week in a letter for The Players' Tribune that he's heading to Beantown. However, a report leaked hours before his announcement that he chose the Celtics, which Gobert presumably saw. Hayward's camp insists his mind wasn't made up at that point and that he intended to inform the Jazz before everyone else.

Gobert, who appeared to take a shot at his former co-star when he grooved to Chris Brown's "Loyal" soon after the letter was published, said he was just listening to music. Suspicious coincidence aside, the Frenchman indicated he saw the departure coming after being on hand for Utah's "awkward" meeting with Hayward.

But before you start comparing the pair to former Thunder teammates Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, Gobert admitted he's been in touch with the 27-year-old small forward since his announcement.

The defensive anchor isn't upset with Hayward's decision to move on, but he does think he should've given his teammates a heads up.

"You cannot be mad at somebody for wanting to play for another team," Gobert told ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "It's just the way he handled it, that's the thing I didn't like. I'm happy for him at the same time. I hope he's going to be happy over there and get what he's looking for.

Related: Jazz GM calls timing of Hayward's decision 'problematic' as FA market dries up

"To all his teammates, all the guys that he competed with for years, guys that sacrificed for him and for the team, not necessarily tell us but make sure as a team we can keep going forward if he leaves. ... I think that wasn't the best way to do it, but I'm over it now. I'm just focused on the team."

Hayward put up 21.9 points, 5.4 boards, 3.5 assists, and a steal per game last season for the Jazz, earning his first All-Star nod with the franchise that drafted him in 2010.

With him out of the picture, "The Stifle Tower" stands as the team's clear-cut top talent.