Patrick Kinahan: Hayward should have easy choice


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SALT LAKE CITY — Decision time has arrived for Gordon Hayward, who has to choose between continuing to build his legacy with the Jazz or seeking a fresh start elsewhere.

NBA rules stipulate teams can begin negotiating with free agents – Hayward is expected to opt out of his contract this week – July 1. Coming off a banner season in which he led the Jazz to 51 wins on averages of 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists a game, Hayward will draw significant attention from teams around the league, most notably the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat.

The incumbent is in the mix, ready to offer its Western Conference All-Star the maximum deal, which will exceed $175 million over five years. The competition can go into the $130 million range over four years.

Jazz fans fretting that Hayward will leave Utah are not alone, as Jazz management is right there with them.

As it stands, the guess is Hayward's odds of bolting to another team are 50-50, meaning the Jazz have as good a chance to retain his services as any of the contenders. His advisers said as much this week, ensuring team officials the Jazz will receive strong consideration.

And the team should.

Hayward belongs with the Jazz, the only professional team he has played for since being drafted out of Butler in 2010. For several reasons, most notably money, the Jazz are his best option.

After eventual NBA champion Golden State ousted the Jazz in the Western Conference semifinals, Hayward repeated the desire to have a chance to win the title. The harsh reality is the Warriors appear to have a lock on the championship for the foreseeable future. Unless he signs with the Warriors or the Cleveland Cavaliers, it does not make sense for Hayward to chase a championship with another team.

For as much heat as Kevin Durant took for leaving Oklahoma City to join the Warriors, at least he signed on with a legitimate championship contender. Hayward has no such option unless he is willing to take a drastic pay cut, which won’t happen no matter how much he talks about wanting to win it all.

During his seven seasons with the Jazz, Hayward has blossomed into a star, increasing his scoring averaging every year. He is the team’s first and best offensive option, a status that none of the other suitors can guarantee him.

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Additionally, none of these teams can offer Hayward the opportunity to play with a dominant center of the same caliber as Rudy Gobert. At only age 25, Gobert already makes a difference and has barely scratched the surface of his potential. Leaving the chance to play with Gobert would be a mistake.

Hayward also would be best served to play out his career in one place after the manner of John Stockton, still the state’s most beloved professional athlete. Stockton, whom the Jazz have called upon to counsel Hayward, built a legacy that will continue to last far beyond his playing career.

There is also the issue of the coach.

Hayward’s coach for his two seasons in college was Brad Stevens, who now coaches the Celtics. Stevens is an excellent coach, having guided Butler to a pair of Final Four appearances and taking Boston from 25 to 53 wins over the last four seasons.

But surely Quin Snyder can’t be far behind Stevens or most NBA coaches. In only three seasons, the Jazz have significantly improved their win total under Snyder, in the more difficult Western Conference.

Snyder and his staff have played integral roles in the development of several of Hayward’s teammates. Strong evidence suggests those players will continue to improve.

However, Hayward would do himself a disservice by blindly re-signing with the Jazz, even if it is a short-term contract with the ability to opt out again (under certain NBA rules, he could sign a shorter deal with the likelihood of making more money in a future contract if he meets particular stipulations). Before Hayward commits, given that George Hill is also a free agent, the Jazz need to present a viable option at point guard. If the roster meets his satisfaction, Hayward needs to end the anxiety that has hovered over the franchise for the last several weeks.


About the Author: Patrick Kinahan ---------------------------------

Patrick is a radio host for 97.5/1280 The Zone and the Zone Sports Network. He, along with David James, are on the air Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

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