Fifty-one wins, a division title, a first-round playoff series win (by taking a Game 7 on the road, no less). All of that made for a wildly successful season for the young Utah Jazz, whose prosperity was fueled often by All-Star forward Gordon Hayward and veteran point guard George Hill. Both are free agents this summer and could leave Utah, but according to Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune, the Jazz feel like they’re in a solid spot to keep both players:
“I’m going to take some time off,” Hayward said. “I’m going to enjoy some time with my family and reflect on the season. I want to get my body back to 100 percent….and after that, obviously deal with the next chapter.”
For Hayward, that means opting out of the last year of his current contract and entering unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career, where he will have plenty of suitors besides the Jazz.
Hayward has developed into one of the best small forwards in the NBA. He was an All-Star for the first time this season. He averaged 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game this season. He was even better in the playoffs, averaging 24 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 11 games — including one game in which he played briefly before leaving with food poisoning, or else those averages would have been higher. He out-dueled Los Angeles Clippers star Chris Paul in the first round, and was the only Jazz player that looked comfortable offensively against Golden State’s swarming defense in the second round.
Because of this, Hayward will be one of the most coveted free agents on the market and sure to receive a max contract. Simply put, Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey’s meticulous rebuild falls apart if Hayward leaves town.
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Behind the scenes, it is believed the Jazz have an advantage in the battle to keep Hayward. Utah has a young core that won 51 games, despite being one of the most injured teams in the league. Hayward and his wife, Robyn, have settled down and started a family. The Jazz have a deep, improving roster, and they can offer more money than any other team on the open market. Utah already has Rudy Gobert locked up with a long-term contract, and he has established himself as an All-NBA candidate at center.
“We feel as if we’ve made a compelling case for Gordon to stay,” Lindsey said in early April.
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Hayward said Tuesday he hadn’t yet thought much about his free agent status. He also said he didn’t want to draw the process out after July 1, when the free agency period begins.
His situation will serve as a domino, either way. Point guard George Hill said Hayward’s decision will affect his impending free agency. Ingles and Hayward have the same agent in Mark Bartelstein, and Ingles is a restricted free agent.
Hayward said he has enjoyed Utah, and values his time with the Jazz. He acknowledged the crowd on Monday night when they were chanting his name. He repeated his fondness for Utah on Tuesday as well.
“It’s been so much fun for me here in Utah,” Hayward said. “I’ve grown up here and started a family. I’ve grown from a basketball standpoint and from a man standpoint. Still, these opportunities don’t come around very often.”
If nothing else, Hayward’s free agency will keep Utah’s front office honest. The Jazz have two first round picks in June’s draft. They have $13 million cap space that has to be used by July 1, or it will be lost. If the Jazz want to improve the roster, their best chance to do that may be before free agency begins.
