NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 potential destinations for Gordon Hayward

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Apr 28, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) and forward Joe Ingles (2) celebrate a dunk by Hayward against the LA Clippers during the first quarter in game six of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

Utah Jazz

West, Northwest

An obvious landing spot for Hayward would be to stay put with the Utah Jazz. Utah can offer Hayward both more money and the extra fifth year on the max contract he is sure to garner on the open market. The Jazz have his Bird Rights so they can go over the cap to bring back their star small forward.

It has been a great last few years for Hayward in Salt Lake City. He has finally gotten the respect he deserves as the team’s best player. Hayward made his first trip to the NBA All-Star Game in January. He gets to play in front of a committed fanbase, for a solid head coach in Quin Snyder and alongside other great players like point guard George Hill and center Rudy Gobert.

However, it wasn’t always smooth sailing for Hayward with the Jazz. Three summers ago, he did sign an offer to sheet to leave the Jazz in restricted free agency to potentially play for the then Charlotte Bobcats. Utah matched the qualifying offer and Hayward reluctantly returned to the Jazz.

Things have changed magnificently in Utah since summer 2014. That being said, will Hayward still hold a grudge or two with the Jazz for being rather incompetent his first few years in the league. He can get more money and become the organization’s third most popular player historically behind Karl Malone and John Stockton. However, can Hayward honestly convince himself that he can bring a championship to the Great Salt Lake?

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