Is Gordon Hayward trying to reunite with Brad Stevens?

[SteveO21]

So a report has come out that Gordon Hayward is unhappy in Utah and wants out. Boston has been dangling the #3 pick. Brad Stevens loves Gordon Hayward from their time together at Butler. Is Hayward trying to force his way into a reunion with Stevens?

NBA Trade Rumors: Gordon Hayward Wants Out; Jazz Actively Shopping Him | NBA | NESN.com (http://nesn.com/2016/06/nba-trade-rumors-gordon-hayward-wants-out-jazz-actively-shopping-him/)

There's a chance the report is erroneous and there's nothing to this but usually where there's smoke there's fire.

[the27guy]

not worried even a little bit.

He lives in Utah in the offseason. EVERYTHING he has said publicly sounds right. He knows he has a great situation in Utah.

But obviously the Cs would love to get him, and they have a ton of assets, so I understand why there is a rumor.

[Cervantes]

Gordon, a max guy, isn't exactly KD or Lebron, but if he wants to win a championship, he leaves Utah. Right?

Is that ok, if he's chasing a ring?

(Semi-serious question...I'm listening to KD getting killed for possibly leaving for GS)

[smalltown]

Seems like his agent is trying to make a play. Don't think it happens.

[Cervantes]

I read this morning that Utah wasn't interested in the trade with Boston.

[pingbling23]

Gordon, a max guy, isn't exactly KD or Lebron, but if he wants to win a championship, he leaves Utah. Right?

Is that ok, if he's chasing a ring?

(Semi-serious question...I'm listening to KD getting killed for possibly leaving for GS)

It's a little different when you're an mvp caliber player going to a made team. Lebron going to Miami and back to Cleveland was an unknown, we know what gsw is capable of and that would really be taking the easy road if KD goes there. Now say dray, klay, and KD all went to say, Phoenix, that wouldn't be bad imo. He's also getting killed because it's not like he's playing for a weak team or franchise as lebron did in his early years.

[jazz1232dc]

Local reports say Jazz FO is telling everyone that Hayward isn't available. Even if he is available it's a smart move saying he isn't so the asking price goes up.

[Cervantes]

It's a little different when you're an mvp caliber player going to a made team. Lebron going to Miami and back to Cleveland was an unknown, we know what gsw is capable of and that would really be taking the easy road if KD goes there. Now say dray, klay, and KD all went to say, Phoenix, that wouldn't be bad imo. He's also getting killed because it's not like he's playing for a weak team or franchise as lebron did in his early years.

Yeah, I know...I just feel that he won't win a championship in Utah, so he has to leave if that is his goal.

[pingbling23]

Yeah, I know...I just feel that he won't win a championship in Utah, so he has to leave if that is his goal.

I fully agree, he needs to be a second or third option somewhere. How well would he fit in with the clipps.

[Doublexthebeast]

I fully agree, he needs to be a second or third option somewhere. How well would he fit in with the clipps.

I think he would be a great fit on a team like the Clippers or Blazers. He is definitely not an elite player to lead a team but he would be great as the second or third guy. I also think Boston would be a good fit for him as a team on the rise.

[Rareairx23]

So far I've heard Boston has struck out on Butler, Hayward, jabari Parker, and khris middleton

[bdrr]

Hayward is at best a #3 option, not remotely a max player. The only reason Hayward was worth paying is because Utah is not the sort of destination stars flock to. Unloading Hayward for the #3 pick (plus more picks) would be highway robbery.

Boston lobbed Utah a 80 mph fastball right down the middle, and Utah just stood there and watched it float in.

[JMarchand1981]

So far I've heard Boston has struck out on Butler, Hayward, jabari Parker, and khris middleton

Very very disheartening...

[the27guy]

Hayward is at best a #3 option, not remotely a max player. The only reason Hayward was worth paying is because Utah is not the sort of destination stars flock to. Unloading Hayward for the #3 pick (plus more picks) would be highway robbery.

Boston lobbed Utah a 80 mph fastball right down the middle, and Utah just stood there and watched it float in.

Might have agreed with you up until this last 18 months. He was very good last year running the offense and being a primary scorer. Ideally he's the second best player on a great team. Have no doubt that people have overlooked him.

[jr24ai3]

People would have a different opinion of Hayward if he wasnt white

[JustinVerlander07]

It's a little different when you're an mvp caliber player going to a made team. Lebron going to Miami and back to Cleveland was an unknown

LeBron going to Miami to team up with Wade AND Bosh was an unknown? Really?

[JMarchand1981]

People would have a different opinion of Hayward if he wasnt white

Would they think he was better or worse if he were, say, blue and a smurf?

[the27guy]

People would have a different opinion of Hayward if he wasnt white

I wish I didn't agree with this, but it's true. I hear other announcers talk about what a great shooter he is and about what type a player he is and even some of them totally racially profile him. They talk about him like he's reddick or korver.

Truth is he's a super athletic, 6 foot 8 guy who handles, distributes, and will dunk on you or chase down block you on defense. He's an elite athlete and a heck of a defender. He was easily the best player for a team last year that was DESTROYED by injuries, and still could have made the playoffs up until the last day of the season. I keep reading people saying that the Jazz are insane not trading him for #3....

No way. He's a top 25 guy in the league. Do you get that at #3? Maybe. But that is no sure thing. And it moves your timeline back. That trade would make zero sense for Utah.

[drobfan8]

Yeah UTAH would be nuts to get rid of Hayward unless you're getting KD back in some deal.

This team is on the up and should be a very tough out next season.

G. Hill will help this team a lot.

[JMarchand1981]

I wish I didn't agree with this, but it's true. I hear other announcers talk about what a great shooter he is and about what type a player he is and even some of them totally racially profile him. They talk about him like he's reddick or korver.

Truth is he's a super athletic, 6 foot 8 guy who handles, distributes, and will dunk on you or chase down block you on defense. He's an elite athlete and a heck of a defender. He was easily the best player for a team last year that was DESTROYED by injuries, and still could have made the playoffs up until the last day of the season. I keep reading people saying that the Jazz are insane not trading him for #3....

No way. He's a top 25 guy in the league. Do you get that at #3? Maybe. But that is no sure thing. And it moves your timeline back. That trade would make zero sense for Utah.

What about the 3, Bradley and sully? I am just asking. I have no further insight.

[the27guy]

What about the 3, Bradley and sully? I am just asking. I have no further insight.

I know it sounds crazy but we look at Gordon as the franchise talent. As Bill Simmons says, you'd rather have a dollar bill in the NBA sometimes than 5 quarters. For those who haven't really watched a ton of Gordon, I inderstand why you might doubt him as an A level guy, but I believe in him and I think mgmt does too.

[JMarchand1981]

I know it sounds crazy but we look at Gordon as the franchise talent. As Bill Simmons says, you'd rather have a dollar bill in the NBA sometimes than 5 quarters. For those who haven't really watched a ton of Gordon, I inderstand why you might doubt him as an A level guy, but I believe in him and I think mgmt does too.

I have maybe, maybe seen three full games of Gordon Hayward. I need to defer to you on this.

[bdrr]

I wish I didn't agree with this, but it's true. I hear other announcers talk about what a great shooter he is and about what type a player he is and even some of them totally racially profile him. They talk about him like he's reddick or korver.

Truth is he's a super athletic, 6 foot 8 guy who handles, distributes, and will dunk on you or chase down block you on defense. He's an elite athlete and a heck of a defender. He was easily the best player for a team last year that was DESTROYED by injuries, and still could have made the playoffs up until the last day of the season. I keep reading people saying that the Jazz are insane not trading him for #3....

No way. He's a top 25 guy in the league. Do you get that at #3? Maybe. But that is no sure thing. And it moves your timeline back. That trade would make zero sense for Utah.

Respectfully disagree. No way he's top 25. The guy is good, but if he's your "guy" you'll be finishing between 11 and 8 every season for the next decade. He's a low percentage shooter (43% last year) and doesn't make up for it from range. So, yeah - he's not Reddick or Korver - he doesn't knock down threes any anywhere close a rate. What Hayward is is a guy who can create off the dribble and has a good midrange game. And there's a place for those guys in the league. Every team needs one. But Hayward isn't good enough to be "the guy" and carry the Jazz. Even as a #2 option it's too big a load. The comparison, in my mind, is Rudy Gay as far as offense goes. Hayward is better passer than Rudy, but his scoring game is pretty similar. On D, yes he is an above average perimeter defender but he's not strong enough to guard the KDs/PGs of the world. We're in an era where SFs are mostly back to hanging around the three line so he does well there.

So, yeah - Rudy Gay with passing skills and good perimeter D.

Anyway, I also agree it moves your timeline back, but your timeline is already broken. Kanter is gone, Burke was a bust. The timeline is now Exum with Favors on his team friendly contract as your veteran cornerstone. Take the insane pick package for Hayward and draft right this time. Have a good pick next year and build for 2018.

[the27guy]

Responded in post below.

[the27guy]

Respectfully disagree. No way he's top 25. The guy is good, but if he's your "guy" you'll be finishing between 11 and 8 every season for the next decade. He's a low percentage shooter (43% last year) and doesn't make up for it from range. So, yeah - he's not Reddick or Korver - he doesn't knock down threes any anywhere close a rate. What Hayward is is a guy who can create off the dribble and has a good midrange game. And there's a place for those guys in the league. Every team needs one. But Hayward isn't good enough to be "the guy" and carry the Jazz. Even as a #2 option it's too big a load. The comparison, in my mind, is Rudy Gay as far as offense goes. Hayward is better passer than Rudy, but his scoring game is pretty similar. On D, yes he is an above average perimeter defender but he's not strong enough to guard the KDs/PGs of the world. We're in an era where SFs are mostly back to hanging around the three line so he does well there.

So, yeah - Rudy Gay with passing skills and good perimeter D.

Anyway, I also agree it moves your timeline back, but your timeline is already broken. Kanter is gone, Burke was a bust. The timeline is now Exum with Favors on his team friendly contract as your veteran cornerstone. Take the insane pick package for Hayward and draft right this time. Have a good pick next year and build for 2018.

Okay, I'm back.

Good perspective and points as usual. While I agree that he's not likely to lead you to a championship as a number one I would llike to point some things out.

But first, You really don't think he's top 25? Then top 30? Where would you put him?

At 19.7 ppg, he was good for 22nd overall in ppg. Remember that the Jazz played the slowest pace in the league. 7 of the 21 guys ahead of him were less or equally efficient from the field including the like if Paul George, Carmelo, and Lillard. And also ask yourself how many of them had guys like Raul Neto starting at point guard - not exactly the spacing that guys like redick and korver had.

Also remember that as the Jazz playmaker, he is often faced with a short shot clock and the ball behind the arc. That's a place that's going to earn you a not-so-great percentage. He dribbles into too many threes because of this. He doesn't have the luxury of shooting a lot of catch and shoot threes. Having said this, I already pointed out he's not really good because he's a great shooter. He has better qualities. Also 10 of the 21 scorers in front of him shot the same or lower from 3.

Jazz allowed the second lowest shooting percentage from SFs in the league.

The Rudy gay thing is perplexing. Not sure why you chose him? Same height/weight? Both decent mid range games? Gordon, as you mentioned is a better ball handler, passer and defender (by a lot in all 3 categories) - and his teammates like him. Given those differences, we may as well say he's like lebron but just not as good a defender, or playmaker.

As for the Jazz missing their window, I just couldn't disagree more. Gobert and hood were both starting for their first times last season. Exum missed the entire season. Favors and gobert each missed over 20 games. Their sixth man, Alec burks missed over 50 games. Despite being marred by injuries, they won 40 games. Consider all that and then add a year of experience for THE YOUNGEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE and add George hill, a promising Trey lyles, and take away no one from their core... And you have the script for an awesome young team.

It's why nylon calculus predicted Jazz to get to 52 wins right after the trade was made. And why Zach Lowe said Jazz will get to 50 if they stay healthy. And again, that's a team that was the youngest in the league all of last year.

When you have a team that's that promising, you don't trade your best player. There's no use in goin into perpetual rebuild.

Will he always be the teams best player? I hope not. Hood, gobert, and even lyles and exum could be in a few years, but then Hayward would be able to take his place as the ideal second option.

[Ottomatic]

Boston, it is time to realize your destiny and give the Wizards some picks for Marcin Gortat.

[thepinoymamba]

Looks like it... Boston Has so many Pieces that could make them a contender

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[SirVolan]

It's a little different when you're an mvp caliber player going to a made team. Lebron going to Miami and back to Cleveland was an unknown, we know what gsw is capable of and that would really be taking the easy road if KD goes there. Now say dray, klay, and KD all went to say, Phoenix, that wouldn't be bad imo. He's also getting killed because it's not like he's playing for a weak team or franchise as lebron did in his early years.

Really? Miami had won a championship a couple years prior and still had their finals MVP with an added all star in Chris Bosh. Lots of people say they understood bc Lebron had no help, but Durant is going to get killed for it? Team not weak? What have they given Westbrook and Durant since they made a finals appearance? I just don't understand how all these superstars are ok to leave, but Durant has to be the one to not do it? I didn't hear people ripping on Aldridge to leave to a championship team that we know the Spurs are capable of.