National Basketball Association

Utah Jazz: Gordon Hayward Trade Rumors... Already?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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After just one game, league sources are again speculating about Utah Jazz star Gordon Hayward’s trade availability. What should fans take note of when trying to separate rumors from something real?

On Wednesday, ESPN’s Ryen Russillo posted his new NBA podcast. There were no tales from the couch like in years past with the NBA Today, but I’ve always found Russillo to be well-informed and his sources and tidbits usually turn out to be credible.

Which is why I did not love to hear this bit of his “really bad trades you know deep down you really like.”

A source told Russillo last year that Utah Jazz star Gordon Hayward was going to be moved at some point or had asked to be traded. That same notion was widely criticized and debunked as a rumor several times over the offseason by the local writers. Gordon being “unhappy” in Utah even became a running joke among Jazz writers.

Gordon built a home in SLC and stayed put all summer, giving Jazz fans hope that he would be up for staying beyond this year. He’s been very supportive of the front office on his own blog and hasn’t given any indication that he is unhappy with anything about his current situation. Granted, I don’t have any Utah front office contacts (yet), but I know a guy in marketing! He doesn’t know anything either…

-Ryen Russillo

Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean there isn’t any risk involved. Hayward was around for the Deron Williams trade that brought in Derrick Favors. He watched as the Jazz were congratulated for getting so much value in return for a likely departing star and not risking the franchise’s future to chance and/or free agency.

He undoubtedly understands that there is a feeling of remorse for not moving Paul Millsap and Big Al Jefferson for pieces when they had the chance. I can understand the front office being afraid of losing Hayward for nothing only to watch him become a perennial All-Star a la Paul Millsap in Atlanta.

Here’s what Russillo said about the Hayward situation via his NBA Pod—

“I don’t think he would be traded right now, and we’re dealing with an injury thing here, but he has a player option for next year. Considering how long it’s taken Utah to put this core together and that he’s still their most important guy, you don’t want to lose him for nothing. And with the way the cap is going, it’s just more dangerous to just go ahead and pay him (assuming) he won’t want to go anywhere else because that just hasn’t been the case.”
“The NBA is changing. It’s not just because of the extra money, it’s a changed philosophy where players can spare a few million dollars to go somewhere else. He is definitely someone that other teams are monitoring, but you have to understand you aren’t getting him cheap. You’re not getting him because he hates it there or he’s a bad guy or any of that kind of stuff, but I’m telling you that for months people have said that it doesn’t look like he would come back…”

Utah is a notoriously tight-lipped organization modeled after the San Antonio Spurs. If you hear any rumors about the Spurs, you know it’s coming from other sources. The same thing applies with Utah. Doc Rivers is on record calling Hayward a star, but his real motivation is Blake Griffin insurance. Keep Hayward happy so just in case his star bolts and he needs to fill the void, Hayward will listen. Hayward is going to be a popular choice for any team with cap space that misses out on Blake or Chris Paul.

The Boston Celtics, on the other hand, have been very open with their spreading of trade rumors for their own benefit. Danny Angie went beyond leaking trade rumors to the press last year and said they were close to dealing for a star player. This drove speculation about who was involved in the fake trade for weeks. Russillo began his career in Boston and understandably maintains good contacts there. Celtics head coach Brad Stevens’ affection for his former Butler star is no secret either.

It isn’t much of a stretch to put together Boston with Russillo’s intel. Especially as the Celtics are desperate for another star to put them in contention with Cleveland. Yes this is speculation, but I’m allowed.

Unfortunately, he will be courted by everyone with max cap room, and everyone wants to be wanted. Remember that Hayward is a guy who wasn’t heavily recruited out of high school. He is also a player who has been mostly underappreciated on the national NBA scene his entire career.

Remember the fiasco that was DeAndre Jordan’s free agency? He wanted to be courted too. Ultimately he went back to where he was comfortable. His free agency is evidence of what can happen when players are open to listen. Hayward is good enough to be a real contributor on a championship team. He may get pulled in that direction if he makes it all the way to free agency next summer.

Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey brought in exactly the type of players Hayward could play with. Its clear the front office is doing everything they can to prove their commitment to him as a franchise player.