Utah Jazz: Gordon Hayward leaves, but hope is not lost
By Jason Oliver
Gordon Hayward may no longer be a part of the Utah Jazz, but not all hope is lost in the franchise’s quest for a championship.
Nightmares became a reality in the Utah Jazz front office with Gordon Hayward announcing his departure to the Boston Celtics via The Players’ Tribune.
Despite being confident in retaining the services of Hayward, their pride and joy, the kid the Jazz drafted in 2010 who turned into an All-Star, ditched them for the greener pastures of the Celtics.
Ever so thankful to the Jazz and Utah in general throughout the Players’ Tribune piece, one sentence right at the end will anger his former fans the most. Hayward stated that “the winning culture of Boston, as a city” was the main reason for defection — just as Utah had a chance at gaining that winning reputation themselves.
It comes as no surprise fans are disgruntled and disappointed with the decision while also taking the manner in which he made it personal. FanSided contributor Evan Singleton had the scoop on the Players’ Tribune piece a full nine hours before it was published.
Fans were lied to for a whole day and are angry – understandably.
I'm told Hayward is in process of a Players Trib piece. His mind is made up. And I've heard rumors it "Thanks Utah" ... interesting...
— Ev Singleton (@EvGuyBoston) July 4, 2017
But once the dust settles and the frontal lobe of the brain is in full effect — offering some reason to these heartfelt thoughts — the realization that it’s not all doom and gloom will set in for those left in Utah.
It’s not a rebuild for the Jazz; it’s more of a renovation.
The foundations are still intact with Rudy Gobert. The older pieces of furniture are still doing their job in Joe Ingles and Joe Johnson.
The modern decor is still evident in Dante Exum and Rodney Hood, with rookies Tony Bradley, Donovan Mitchell and Nigel Williams-Goss being the little pieces that could significantly grow in value one day.
George Hill has been swapped out for Ricky Rubio, while Otto Porter Jr. and Rudy Gay are already being touted as possible replacements, according to HoopsHype.com‘s Alex Kennedy.
The Utah Jazz have expressed interest in Rudy Gay now that Gordon Hayward has moved on. Also interested in Otto Porter as @MikeAScotto said.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 5, 2017
The bulldozer isn’t being put through the Jazz and their hopes to stay relevant as a playoff team in the West.
Gobert is still an elite centerpiece for a contending team. As the most influential player in regards to win shares (14.3 last season compared to Hayward’s 10.4), the Jazz still have arguably their best player on the roster.
Gobert, by every metric, was Utah's most important player. They may miss the playoffs in 2018, but he's a GREAT building block.
— Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) July 5, 2017
As a 51-win team decimated by injuries for much of the 2016-17 season, this group arguably underachieved as they were swept in the second round by the eventual champion Golden State Warriors.
Hayward’s return would have ensured another run at the Western Conference’s elite, but without their All-Star small forward, expectations will be scaled back. The playoffs are still a realistic possibility for 2017-18, while the end goal — an NBA championship — gets pushed out a couple of years further than they would have hoped.
The big market has robbed the small man again, but the Jazz will move forward. They’ve started from worse positions than they’re in now.
The front office is in place to ensure the franchise recovers from this delay in its quest for a championship sooner rather than later. It’s a great organization with one of the best coaching staffs in the business. The practice facility and team culture is as good as any of the more sought after destinations around the NBA.
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Don’t count them out just yet; the Jazz will bounce back.