Hoops Habit
Fansided

5 reasons Gordon Hayward should sign with the Indiana Pacers

By Adrian Lawhorn

Mar 20, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Utah Jazz guard Gordon Hayward (20) scrambles for a loose ball against Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Utah 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Utah Jazz guard Gordon Hayward (20) scrambles for a loose ball against Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Utah 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Mar 20, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) leads a a fast break against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeated Utah 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) leads a a fast break against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeated Utah 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Opportunity to play close to home

Gordon Hayward grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana, which is a suburb just west of Indianapolis. He led his high school team to a state championship before moving on to star for Butler University.

Butler, located on the near north side of Indianapolis, made a “Cinderella” run to the NCAA championship game in 2010 with Hayward as their focal point.

Clearly, Gordon Hayward has very strong ties to the Indianapolis area, and most athletes cherish the opportunity to play professionally in their hometown — particularly since it is a fairly rare occurrence in the NBA.

Any desire Hayward has to play for his hometown Pacers is not something he has announced publicly, but according to Vigilant Sports, he has stated that he enjoys playing in Indianapolis and spending time with family and friends when the Jazz visit Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Gordon Hayward has cultivated many relationships connected to Brownsburg High School, Butler University and the Indianapolis area in general.

It would seem natural that he would be interested in continuing his successful NBA career as a member of the Indiana Pacers, but there are many parameters Hayward and his advisors must consider before making a final decision on his next NBA destination.

Home/Indiana Pacers