Utah Jazz: Who’s staying and who’s going in 2017 free agency?
By Jason Oliver
Gordon Hayward
2016-17 salary: $16.1 million
2017-18 player option: $16.7 million
Hayward is the big fish only a few teams have a chance at catching when the 2017 free agency period comes around.
With a 2017-18 player option, his decision may depend on the naming of the All-NBA teams. Being named to any of the three teams would mean Hayward is eligible for the Designated Player Exception at the end of next season and would see him opt-in for next year.
Gordon Hayward averaged 24.7 points, 4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists against the Warriors.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) May 9, 2017
That guy has gotten insanely good.
If he isn’t named, Hayward has other options.
Asked about doing his due diligence and surveying the league, Hayward said in his exit interview he would be leaving it up to his agent:
"“That’s why you hire an agent, to deal with this type of stuff. I’m sure he’s going to go through all the options for me, let me know what can happen – I know there’s a lot of stuff that can definitely go down – once I sit down and talk with him we’ll move forward from there.”"
All signs point to Hayward staying with the Jazz but his relationship with Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens and their need for an elite wing player have some people in Salt Lake City nervous.
Next: 5 potential landing spots for Gordon Hayward in free agency
Without Hayward, the Jazz will struggle to be anything more than a sixth seed and all of this season – building the team into a legitimate challenger to the West’s elite – could all be for nothing.