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Utah Jazz miss chance at massive Gordon Hayward extension

By Jason Oliver

April 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) during the first half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) during the first half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NBA’s All-NBA voters have done the dirty on the Utah Jazz and opened the door a little further for Gordon Hayward’s departure.

With the All-NBA teams announced and Gordon Hayward‘s name failing to appear, nerves have started to build in the Utah Jazz front office.

There were 207 million reasons Hayward and Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey wanted to see his name on the list of three All-NBA teams.

The opportunity for the Jazz to offer Hayward the super-max $207 million Designated Player Exception would have been a confidence boost for all of Utah in their quest to extend their star small forward’s time with the franchise.

He regularly says he loves the team and that he wants to stay, but we’ve heard all that before. Kevin Durant said all of that and more, but was still on the next plane out of Oklahoma City when the chance to win a ring came knocking.

Those same knocks will be coming from the Boston Celtics and Hayward’s college coach, Brad Stevens.

According to HoopsRumors.com, Stevens will be on Hayward’s doorstep with a four-year contract worth a maximum of $136.1 million, but not before Lindsey gets in with his maximum five-year, $177.5 million offer.

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Losing a significant portion of their financial advantage gives the chances of Hayward’s departure a little more weight.

Hayward is coming off the back of a career season where he lead the Jazz to 51 wins, a first round playoff victory, and made his All-Star debut.

His 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 47 percent are only going to improve with the Jazz hoping Hayward has seen enough in this team to believe he can win in Utah.

In a somewhat cryptic and uncommitted exit interview, Hayward left the door wide open for whatever opportunities might come over the offseason:

"“That’s why you hire an agent, to deal with this type of stuff. I’m sure he’s going to go through all of the options for me, let me know what can happen. I know there’s a lot of stuff that can definitely go down. So, once I sit down and talk with him, we’ll move forward from there.”"

The first task on his agent’s list will be to opt out of his 2017-18 contract and the $16.7 million owed. No matter where he signs, Hayward is in line for a pay rise once he opt’s out.

The Jazz have plenty of bargaining chips to lay out on the table when they meet with their franchise player; he, like the city and the franchise, wants to win.

With 51 wins and the possibility of more in 2017-18, it’s three or four years down the track that Hayward will be looking.

The Jazz weren’t playing for a Western Conference Finals berth when they were swept by the Golden State Warriors in the second round – they were playing for Hayward’s future. To prove they are on the up, that when the Warriors do finally show some vulnerability, the Jazz are the next team ready and waiting to pounce.

Whether he saw enough or not will be evident in where he signs his next contract.

The NBA’s media members have done the Jazz dirty by not voting him into an All-NBA team, but all hope isn’t lost. The Jazz are still favorites to retain their star, but it’s going to be a long offseason of rumors and stress.

Next: 5 potential landing spots for Gordon Hayward in free agency

Strap yourselves in, Jazz fans.

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