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5 reasons why Gordon Hayward should re-sign with the Utah Jazz

By Adam Coffman

Apr 30, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Raymond Felton (2) defends Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) as he drives to the basket in the second period of game seven of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Raymond Felton (2) defends Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) as he drives to the basket in the second period of game seven of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Utah Jazz
April 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) moves the ball against Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20), guard George Hill (3) and forward Derrick Favors (15) during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Team Trajectory

Having just turned 27 in March, Hayward likely has another two to three years of play at his peak before he starts his physical decline, although there will be surely be productive years beyond that.

For the Jazz, this developmental timing is perfect, as the other main cogs of the team such as Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors or Rodney Hood are still growing as players themselves.

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If all goes according to plan, the Jazz as a whole will reach peak performance while Hayward is in his prime and other main pieces are just entering theirs.

There just aren’t any other teams that are similarly positioned to not only absorb Hayward’s new contract without sacrificing talent but also be ready to make a run at the crown in the next few years.

Like the Jazz, the Celtics have a wealth of mid-tier assets at their disposal, but face considerably more uncertainty regarding their roster makeup.

With contract extensions due to be given to the likes of Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley, it’s very possible that Boston’s roster will look extremely different over the next few years.

The Golden State Warriors are in position to retain their key pieces at least another year, but barring extreme hometown discounts, they too will be forced to downsize from their current core soon.

He’s proven everyone including Father Time wrong so far, but there will come a time when LeBron James will relinquish his stronghold on the Eastern Conference, and by proxy, the rest of the league.

Even the San Antonio Spurs, what with their 20-year run of dominance, look to be hitting the soft reset button soon with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili in the twilight of their careers and LaMarcus Aldridge looking more and more washed up by the game.

The NBA will experience a changing of the guard within the next few years, and it looks like the Jazz, with Hayward and other key pieces implemented, are right on track to crest at this time of transition.

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