In his latest column which examines the financial situation of the rebuilding Utah Jazz, ESPN’s Zach Lowe suggests Utah partner up with Boston on a trade:
Hayward understands that financial realities could break up a team on the rise. “I’m constantly thinking about that,” he said. “Contracts are so short now. A lot of our guys are on their rookie deals, and they’ll come up for extensions. It all might determine whether or not I stay in Utah.”
Utah has acted boldly before in the face of tough choices, and the bold move at next month’s trade deadline would be flipping Hayward or Favors as their values crest. Hood and Burks could absorb most of Hayward’s playmaking duty. Dealing Hayward now would act as a hedge against his free agency and perhaps land Utah a top-five pick — one last shot at finding that elusive superstar. The Jazz have to at least think about calling Boston and Brad Stevens, Hayward’s college coach, about a deal sending Hayward to the Celtics for the Nets pick, and maybe another first-rounder if Danny Ainge wields his arsenal with the hyperaggression that had Boston dangling four first-round picks for Justise Winslow.
The Brooklyn pick and possibly another 1st for Gordon Hayward?
Not a chance in hell.
Lowe is obviously a big fan of Hayward’s game (19.9 ppg, 37% 3 FG) and thinks it’s likely GH develops into a top-15 player.
I’d consider another combination of 1st round picks, but there’s no chance I’m giving up Brooklyn’s 2016 pick until I know it falls out of the top 5. (Lowe adds that Boston likely won’t move the Brooklyn pick until after the lottery.)
Hayward is in year 2 of a 4 year, $63 million contract.
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