Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward is averaging career-highs in scoring, rebounding, 3-point field goals made and has established himself as a consistent option in FanDuel NBA leagues.
Prior to tip off in Tuesday night’s contest in Boston, the TD Garden crowd greeted Utah’s Gordon Hayward with a warm reception, drawing ire from some Celtics players.
In seven months, Hayward has the option to to become an unrestricted free agent and the Celtics’ crowd was greeting him with a warm reception, with the hopes of convincing him to reunite with coach Brad Stevens, Hayward’s college coach at Butler, in July.
Any team in the league, or roster in FanDuel NBA play, could benefit from the presence of Hayward.
In six of his past seven games, Hayward has converted at least 50 percent of his attempts from the field, while averaging 24.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists 2.1 made shots from 3-point range and a steal per game.
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During the seven-game run, Hayward has produced 37.6 fantasy points per game in FanDuel NBA tournament play.
Hayward has scored 200 more points than any other player on Utah’s roster, as he has found a variety of ways to convert shots, with 51 points per game coming off pull-up jumpers, and becoming one of the most effective slashers to the rim.
Once he gets to the basket, Hayward is nearly automatic, as he is connecting on 68.2 percent of his attempts at the rim and is scoring 4.3 points off drives per game.
Hayward is able to elevate at the rim and throw it down, a feat he has done 27 times this season.
Oh my, Gordon Hayward... (via @ESPNNBA) https://t.co/cdyoTM3pl3
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 28, 2016
When Hayward drives to the rim, he produces points 69.4 percent of the time and is averaging 7.0 free throw attempts per game, tying him for the 10th most in the NBA this season.
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Among small forwards, even in the stacked Western Conference, Hayward is an elite performer. He ranks second among all Western Conference small forwards in free throw attempts and assists, fourth in scoring, rebounding and defensive rating, at 104.3.
The exceptional play of Hayward has propelled the Jazz to a 22-14 start and in position to snap a four-year playoff drought.
Utah is one of the most complete teams in the league, ranking fourth in defensive efficiency and 11th in offensive efficiency, and is surrendering just 95.1 points per game, the fewest in the league.
Boston is one of a copious amount of teams preparing to pursue Hayward in free agency this summer, as his ability to produce in a variety of categories is well coveted.
For now, Hayward has become a premier small forward option for all lineups in FanDuel NBA tournament play.