Free agent Hayward key to future of Jazz
SALT LAKE CITY — All Gordon Hayward could do was smile as he fielded question after question Tuesday about his expected free agency.
It signaled the beginning of the Jazz offseason, where Hayward's decision could have the biggest impact on Utah's future since All-Stars Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams changed teams within an eight-month span in 2010-11.
“These opportunities don't come around very much,” Hayward said. “That's why you hire an agent, to deal with this type of stuff. I'm sure he's going to go through all of the options for me, let me know what can happen. I know there's a lot of stuff that can definitely go down. So, once I sit down and talk with him, we'll move forward from there.”
Hayward has a player option for next season on the contract he signed in 2014 but is expected to forgo that and become an unrestricted free agent. He's likely to receive a maximum contract wherever he signs, and the Celtics are rumored to be in the mix with his college coach Brad Stevens now leading the East's No. 1 playoff seed.
The first-time All-Star had a career year, averaging 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists and leading the Jazz to the second round of the playoffs. The franchise hadn't qualified for the postseason since 2012 and hadn't won a playoff game since 2010.
Winning is a top priority for the seven-year veteran and the Jazz still have a young core highlighted by defensive player of the year candidate Rudy Gobert.
“Coming from that little scrawny, shaggy-haired kid that wasn't really playing (and grew) into an All-Star,” Jazz forward Joe Ingles said. “I truly believe he really likes it here. He loves the organization and the team. At the end of the day, for him, it's about winning. ... Obviously, the organization is committed to that. The next step is getting that team around him.”
General manager Dennis Lindsey has work to do to continue to build that winner. The Jazz took a huge step when he traded for George Hill and Boris Diaw and signed Joe Johnson last summer.