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Good afternoon, Jazzland. It’s Tuesday, which is a day ending in “y,” which means that the Boston Celtics are still after Gordon Hayward, as reported by The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski:
Sources on @TheVertical: Boston working to sequence the acquisitions of Gordon Hayward and Paul George. https://t.co/WvamgOCyzp
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 27, 2017
In order to do this, it should be noted that the Celtics need a few things to go their way:
1. Hayward has to decide to go to Boston.
2. The Celtics have to move some of their oh-so-precious assets to get Paul George from the Indiana Pacers.
3. There will have to be a salary dump somewhere in there, because PG and OG are expensive.
Are they capable of doing these things? Yes. Will they? Maybe.
The Salt Lake Tribune’s Tony Jones tweeted out some condescending optimism in response to Yahoo’s Jordan Schultz:
Hayward FA decision is simple. Boston for title+Stevens. Utah 4 familiarity. Miami for lifestyle and he likes idea of playing w/Goran Dragic
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) June 27, 2017
This just in: The Jazz have a 35 win roster and a coach Hayward isn't close to https://t.co/k1HUGa9zgC
— Tony Jones (@tribjazz) June 27, 2017
Here’s a breakdown of Schultz’ take:
Point 1: Winning, college coach
Yep, this should make Utah Jazz fans nervous.
Point 2: Utah has been good to Gordon
We’ve been burned in the past, and Jazz fans never forget. I don’t care if Dennis Lindsey offered Hayward a car dealership for every 3-pointer he made during the ‘17-’18 season. I still wouldn’t be convinced that he’s all-in to stay in Utah.
Point 3: But...but...Miami!
Lifestyle? What lifestyle? Going clubbing until 3am and getting schnockered every night while leaving his family at home? Color me skeptical. And does anyone really think he’d leave Rudy Gobert for . . . Goran Dragic? (Also, spare me your hot takes about Hassan Whiteside) Nah.
Tony’s take: (translated from sarcasm)
Point 1: The Jazz have a winning roster
So? I now refer you to our very own MyLo:
Good thing there's no history of Jazz players wanting to leave Utah despite Jazz being a playoff team and can pay them more. Oh wait.
— Mylo (@My_Lo) June 27, 2017
Point 2: Hayward likes Quin
This is true. Brad Stevens got Hayward to the NBA, but Quin and the staff here in Utah turned him into a star. We’ll see how much weight that carries.
Anyway, the Celtics want Hayward. The Jazz want Hayward. I’m pretty sure there’s not a team in the NBA that doesn’t want Hayward. I may want a pony, but unless I have enough money and land I’m not going to get it.
As I said before, though, there are many variables to consider, and nobody but the Haywards know for sure where they’ll be living in the future.
Refresh SLC Dunk often, folks, because it’s gonna get crazy.
