5 reasons Gordon Hayward should sign with the Indiana Pacers

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 /
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Mar 20, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) greets Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) after the irgame at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeated Utah 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) greets Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) after the irgame at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeated Utah 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Joining a team led by Paul George

In Utah, Gordon Hayward is the top player and only NBA All-Star on the roster. However, if he were to sign with the Pacers, he would form a one-two punch with fellow All-Star forward Paul George.

It can be very taxing for a pro player to carry much of the load themselves, as evidenced by the many reports last season that New Orleans Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis had grown weary of shouldering a massive amount of responsibility for his club.

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Hayward has never had the opportunity to play with someone of Paul George’s caliber, and that should be an enticing prospect for him.

Another reason George’s presence in Indiana is important is that George himself has stated his desire to play with Gordon Hayward, as reported by ESPN‘s Zach Lowe.

Paul George wants the Pacers to build a better supporting cast around him, and adding Hayward would be a huge step in that direction.

If Indiana is able to sign Hayward, the odds that Paul George would remain with the Pacers on a long-term basis would appear to skyrocket.

George and Hayward technically play the same position (small forward), but in today’s NBA, that isn’t much of an issue.

Additionally, both have shown the ability to play shooting guard, which is the spot one of them would likely occupy if the Pacers obtain Hayward.