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SALT LAKE CITY — Four years, for $10 million a year. Not a penny more.
Based on four years in the NBA, that’s the kind of money Gordon Hayward deserves to be offered as he heads into the offseason as a restricted free agent. And even that price tag could be considered too high for the Jazz swingman, especially based off the last 82 games.
When Derrick Favors signed a four-year extension reportedly worth more than $47 million before last season, Hayward became the focus of the Jazz. National media reports indicate Hayward rejected a deal worth more than what Favors got, making him a restricted free agent with the Jazz able to match any offer he receives this summer.
So what is Hayward’s value?
He sees himself as a go-to player, going so far as to state it after the Jazz lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in their final home game of this season.
“I learned that I can be the guy,” he said. “(I) just have to be more consistent. I think that’s kind of a theme of our whole team. We’ve seen potential out of everybody. It’s just inconsistency that gets you.”
Perhaps no Jazz player has been more inconsistent this season than Hayward. At times, he has looked like a franchise player, while at others he’s appeared devoid of confidence.
I learned that I can be the guy. (I) just have to be more consistent. I think that's kind of a theme of our whole team. We've seen potential out of everybody. It's just inconsistency that gets you.
–Gordon Hayward
Hayward was sensational in the Jazz win over Oklahoma City back in February, putting up a line of 37 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. In March he averaged 12.2 points, shooting 34 percent from the field and 23 percent from three-point distance.
Former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy views him as nothing more than a role player. He likes the former Butler star’s athletic ability but doesn’t see a special player.
“To me he’s a guy who does a little bit of everything,” Van Gundy said. “I think he’s a good athlete. I like the way he plays the game, he plays it hard, but I still don’t see him as anything more than a complementary player. He’s a guy who averages 16 points a game. He’s not going to be guy who averages 24, 25 points.”
The numbers certainly support Van Gundy’s claim. Through four seasons Hayward is averaging 11.9 points a game, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
Even though his scoring average has increased every season, Hayward’s shooting percentage has dropped each year. It dipped to 41 percent this season, including 30 percent from three-point range.
“He shoots low percentages — that’s what really concerns me with his offensive game,” Van Gundy said. “This isn’t a guy who can shoot the ball. At least he has proven he can shoot the ball.”
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The facts don’t add up to Hayward being a marquee player for the Jazz, or any other NBA team. And yet, some team is probably going to fork out more than $10 million a year for him.
Two teams that will have available money — the Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics — have a history with Hayward and could be an attractive option for him. Phoenix coach Jeff Hornacek was an assistant with the Jazz the last three seasons. Boston’s Brad Stevens coached Hayward in college.
Van Gundy sees no reason to cough up more than $8 million for Hayward’s services.
“Honestly, at this point, I think where his worth is (the) mid-level (exception), maybe even a little bit below,” Van Gundy said. “On a good team that is going to contend for a championship, he’s probably a fourth or fifth starter at best.”
The Jazz have several options with Hayward, starting with their right to sign him before any team offers a contract. They also could match any team’s offer, make a deal, or simply allow him to leave without any compensation.
It’s hard to imagine the Jazz would go the route of Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson, two stalwarts the Jazz allowed to leave without getting anything in return. Hayward seems to value a commodity in the organization’s rebuilding process.
Whatever the future holds, it adds up to an interesting dilemma for the Jazz when Hayward’s contract expires at the end of June. He’s a talented player, but the question becomes at what price.