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NBA Free Agency 2017: Blake Griffin and the 10 biggest player option decisions

By John Buhler

Apr 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) reacts to a foul call in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Clippers won 115-104. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) reacts to a foul call in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Clippers won 115-104. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 8, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) handles the ball against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) handles the ball against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /
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Gordon Hayward

Small Forward, Utah Jazz

2016-17 has been an outstanding year for Utah Jazz basketball. They just beat the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals. Sure, it will be tough sledding against the juggernaut Golden State Warriors in round two, but small forward Gordon Hayward is playing his best ball of his NBA career.

Utah originally drafted Hayward No. 9 overall out of Butler University in the 2010 NBA Draft. After needing a few years to develop, Hayward has become a star swingman for the Jazz. He is beloved in Salt Lake City and could go down as the third most popular Jazz player of all-time. We all know who No. 1 and No 2 are.

Utah initially matched the offer sheet Hayward signed in summer 2014 with the then Charlotte Bobcats. It was a four-year deal with an option for 2017-18. He would stand to make $16,736,710 should he opt in for next year. Since Hayward is now an All-Star and a near All-NBA level small forward, he would stand to make at least $20 million annually should he hit the open market this summer.

It is in his best interest to do so. With the Jazz having had a great season in 2016-17, there is a good chance that the family man Hayward would be open to re-upping with the Jazz on a new contract. However, his first few years in Utah were certainly frustrating. Also, his college coach Brad Stevens does lead the Boston Celtics, who need help out on the wing.

There will be other suitors for Hayward’s services this upcoming season outside of Utah and Boston. He is likely opting out, but that doesn’t indicate that he will leave Utah. The Jazz still have Rudy Gobert at center and Quin Snyder at head coach. They can tread water for a year should Hayward leave Salt Lake City for good. Either way, Hayward is set to make a fortune this summer on the open market.

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