Jazz Notes: Hayward, Hill, Diaw, Ingles
After being swept by the Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals, the Jazz enter the offseason with one major question: Will Gordon Hayward be in Utah next season and beyond? Speaking to the media at the Jazz’s end-of-season media press conference, the former first-round pick from 2010 had nothing but the highest of praises for the team, Ryan McDonald of Deseret News Sports writes.
“It’s been so much fun for me here in Utah and growing up here, starting a family, growing from a basketball standpoint, growing from just a man standpoint,” Hayward said. “I have nothing but love for everybody in Utah.”
At 27 years old, coming off a season in which he set career-highs in PPG (21.9) and RPG (4.7), and made his first All-Star team, the Butler University product will have no shortage of potential suitors. Teammates like budding star Rudy Gobert expressed kind sentiments, telling the media that he “don’t want to see him leave because he’s a big part of what we’ve been building.” Per Jody Genessy of the Deseret News, Jazz guard George Hill expressed the belief that Hayward’s “heart is here in Utah.”
From enduring a 25-win season in 2013 to eliminating the Clippers in the playoffs this season, Hayward was a major part of making Utah a contending team. However, the 6’8″, 225-pound forward says he hasn’t given much thought to his future.
Here is additional news surrounding the Jazz:
- Hill, who is a free agent himself this offseason, expressed his desire to remain in Utah. The 31-year-old averaged 16.9 PPG and 4.1 APG in 49 regular season contests for a Jazz team that went 51-31, good for fifth place in the West. Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune noted that Hill’s family will play a role in his free agency decision but the veteran feels the Jazz have “more than enough” to compete with the team’s current core (Twitter links).
- Boris Diaw, the seasoned veteran who provided a spark off the bench, is also uncertain about a return next season. The Jazz hold an option on the 35-year-old France native, who he indicated his desire to return next season, per Genessy (via Twitter). “I’d like to be back here, but I’d definitely understand any choice that they make,” he said.
- Joe Ingles, a restricted free agent this offseason, may have the upper-hand on his teammates in regards to a return. The Jazz can match any offer he receives — and both parties have a mutual interest in a reunion, Jones reports (via Twitter). Andy Larsen of Salt City Hoops quoted Ingles, who said all of Utah’s impending free agents want to return (via Twitter).
2017 Offseason Salary Cap Digest: Utah Jazz
Viewed heading into the 2016/17 season as the Western lottery team most likely to make the jump into the playoffs, the Jazz delivered — and then some. Their 51-31 record was their best mark since 2009/10. Having battled injuries for much of the year, Utah has room to take another step forward next season, but the club will first have to navigate a difficult offseason, with key players like Gordon Hayward and George Hill potentially reaching free agency.
Here’s where things currently stand for the Jazz financially, as we continue our Offseason Salary Cap Digest series for 2017:
Guaranteed Salary
- Rudy Gobert ($21,224,719)
- Derrick Favors ($12,000,000)
- Alec Burks ($10,845,506)
- Joe Johnson ($10,505,000)
- Dante Exum ($4,992,385)
- Trey Lyles ($2,441,400)
- Rodney Hood ($2,386,864)
- Joel Bolomboy ($1,312,611)
- Total: $65,708,485
Player Options
- Gordon Hayward ($16,736,710)
- Total: $16,736,710
Team Options
- None
Non-Guaranteed Salary
- Boris Diaw ($7,500,000)1
- Raul Neto ($1,471,382)
- Total: $8,971,382
Restricted Free Agents
- Joe Ingles ($2,687,500 qualifying offer / $4,085,000 cap hold)
- Total: $4,085,000
Cap Holds
- Gordon Hayward ($24,109,710) — If player option is declined
- George Hill ($15,200,000)
- Shelvin Mack ($4,623,335)
- No. 24 overall pick ($1,579,440)
- Jeff Withey ($1,471,382)
- No. 30 overall pick ($1,394,520)
- Total: $48,378,387
Projected Salary Cap: $101,000,000
Maximum Cap Room: $30,686,325
- With their eight guaranteed contracts, cap holds for two first-round picks, and a pair of cap charges for empty roster spots, the Jazz would have a team salary of $70,313,675. However, in that scenario, Utah would have to renounce Hayward, Hill, Ingles, and the rest of their free agents, in addition to waiving Diaw and Neto. So that’s probably a scenario the club will try to avoid. Re-signing Hayward and/or Hill would eat up most or all of Utah’s potential cap room.
Footnotes:
- Diaw’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after July 15.
Salary information from Basketball Insiders and The Vertical was used in the creation of this post.
Hill Injury Limits Utah's Chance Versus Warriors
- An injury to point guard George Hill has limited any impact the Jazz could hope to have on the Warriors, Randy Hollis of the Deseret News writes. The veteran has missed Games 2 and 3 thus far and head coach Quin Snyder said his effectiveness would be limited even if he tried to return.
Draft Notes: Collins, Comanche, Combine, Jazz
Gonzaga big man Zach Collins is quickly rising up draft boards, tweets Jon Rothstein of Fanrag Sports. The 7’0″ freshman didn’t play a lot this season, but he has become a favorite of NBA scouts. Collins averaged 10.0 points and 5.9 rebounds in just 17.2 minutes per night for the national runners-up. He is ranked 12th in Jonathan Givony’s latest list of the top 100 prospects at DraftExpress and 11th by ESPN’s Chad Ford. Collins is the top-rated center on Ford’s list, while Givony has him one spot behind Jarrett Allen of Texas.
There’s more draft-related news today:
- Sophomore big man Chance Comanche of Arizona has announced via Twitter than he plans to remain in the draft. He averaged 6.3 points and 3.6 rebounds this season and is a long shot to be drafted.
- Cody Taylor of Basketball Insiders examines players who have gone on to NBA success after not receiving invitations to the draft combine. This year’s edition will be held this week in Chicago.
- Kentucky guard Hamidou Diallo may be the best athlete at the combine, an NBA executive tells Rothstein (Twitter link). Diallo is projected to go early in the second round by both Givony and Ford.
- Three Michigan players are headed to the combine, writes James Hawkins of The Detroit News. Moritz Wagner and D.J. Wilson, who entered the draft without hiring agents, both received invitations, along with senior Derrick Walton. Another Wolverines senior, Zak Irvin, also has draft aspirations but wasn’t invited to the combine.
- Wagner will be among six players working out for the Jazz on Sunday, according to a tweet from the team. Joining him will be LSU’s Antonio Blakeney, UCLA’s Aaron Holiday, Florida State’s Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Georgetown’s L.J. Peak and BYU’s Eric Mika.
Veteran Johnson Discusses Role With Jazz
Now 16 years into an admirable NBA career, Joe Johnson is happy to still be contributing significantly to a winning team. Marc Spears of ESPN recently wrote about the veteran’s career and the role he currently serves with the Jazz.
In a transcribed interview with Johnson, Spears asks the swingman about his life as a veteran in the locker room and how he came to sign with the Jazz last summer.
George Hill Sidelined For Game 2
George Hill will miss tonight’s game with Golden State because of soreness in his left big toe, the Jazz announced via Twitter.
“It’s something he’s been fighting all year,” Utah coach Quin Snyder told reporters (Twitter link). “It’s been sore. He’s been playing through it.”
Snyder said he hasn’t decided if Raul Neto, Shelvin Mack or Dante Exum will start in place of Hill. He added that Hill’s absence will be a huge loss to the team’s offense.
The ninth-year point guard is in his first season with the Jazz after being acquired from the Pacers in an offseason trade. He is averaging 15.6 points through Utah’s first eight playoff games.
And-Ones: Free Agents, D-League, Bennett, Oden
Several under-the-radar players who will be free agents this summer are improving their bargaining position with their performance in the playoffs, writes Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype. He identifies six players, starting with Golden State big man JaVale McGee, who is averaging 8.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks through five games despite playing just 11.8 minutes per night. McGee signed a non-guaranteed deal with the Warriors for the veteran’s minimum and could be in line for a huge pay raise in July. The others that Kennedy singles out are Serge Ibaka of the Raptors, Joe Ingles of the Jazz, Nene of the Rockets, Andre Roberson of the Thunder and Deron Williams of the Cavaliers.
There’s more news from around the basketball world:
- The Texas Legends, the Mavericks‘ affiliate in the D-League, have given coach Bob MacKinnon a two-year extension, tweets D-League Digest. The D-League veteran is in his first season with the Legends.
- Invitations have been issued for the D-League’s Elite Mini Camp, which will be held May 8-9 in Chicago, relays Chris Reichert of FanSided. Many players have used this showcase to earn spots on summer league rosters, with alumni such as Jonathon Simmons, Hollis Thompson and DeAndre Liggins. Among the best-known names at this year’s camp will be Russ Smith, JaKarr Sampson, Ray McCallum and Cliff Alexander.
- Former No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett, who played 23 games for the Nets this season, has been replaced on his Fenerbahce team in Turkey, according to Bugra Uzar of Eurohoops. Taking his spot on the roster is Pero Antic, who played for the Hawks from 2013 to 2015. Bennett will remain with the club and is expected to be part of the upcoming EuroLeague Final Four.
- Greg Oden, another former No. 1 pick, is hoping to be part of The Basketball Tournament this summer on ESPN, relays Alysha Tsuji of USA Today. Oden’s team is called Scarlet and Gray and is made up of Ohio State alumni. “We think we’re a team that can win it,” he said. “We look at the talent we’ve had here in the last 10 years or so, and we can match up with anybody. We want the state of Ohio supporting us. We’re called Scarlet and Gray, but this team is a representation of the whole state.”
Jazz Notes: Hayward, Hill, Lindsey, Cavanaugh
Tonight, the Jazz begin their second-round matchup with Golden State. While Utah prepares for a difficult challenge against the heavily favored Warriors, there are other team-centric happenings worthy of monitoring. Stay current below:
- The Jazz’s first-round ousting of the Clippers could have a positive effect on the team’s chance of retaining key free agents Gordon Hayward and George Hill beyond this offseason, reports Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports. Earlier in his career, the 27-year-old cornerstone of the franchise, Hayward, had entertained notions of taking his talents elsewhere. Now that the Jazz have advanced to the second round for the first time since 2010, Amick believes Hayward is convinced that the Jazz can build a contender and wishes to stick around to help make that happen.
- Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey turned down other GM offers before accepting Utah’s, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reports. Prior to accepting the Jazz’ top job, Lindsey had been the assistant general manager for the Spurs. During Lindsey’s conversation with The Vertical on Sunday, he said that he accepted Utah’s offer because the vision of the Jazz’s ownership group reminded him of that of the Spurs.
- According to J. Michael of CSN Mid-Atlantic, George Washington University’s departing star Tyler Cavanaugh worked out for the Jazz over the weekend. As a senior, Cavanaugh led the Colonials with 18.3 PPG and 8.4 RPG, while shooting 40.9% from deep. The 6’9″ forward spent his first two college campaigns with Wake Forest before transferring to George Washington. Cavanaugh also had a pre-draft workout lined up with the Spurs, among other teams.
Western Notes: Barnes, Onuaku, Noel
The Warriors will face the Jazz in the conference’s semifinals, though Golden State was rooting for the Clippers to beat Utah in the previous round, Chris Haynes of ESPN.com writes. Were the Warriors concerned about the opposition’s slow pace, Gordon Hayward‘s perimeter game, or Rudy Gobert‘s defensive presence? None of the above. They were worried about being bored.
“There’s no nightlife in Utah,” Matt Barnes said. “Obviously, as players, you want to be able to have a little bit of a nightlife, but the main focus is winning games. Me personally, I want to get out there because I want to beat the Clippers. That’s my former team, and my kids are out there. But as far as nightlife, there’s no comparison to nightlife in Utah and L.A.”
Barnes added that he’s not sure what he’ll do during his spare time in Utah. “I think there’s an Olive Garden out there and then a Benihana. So you’ll definitely be locked in [on the game] all the way,” He said.
The small forward hasn’t played yet in the postseason because of ankle and foot issues, though it appears he’s getting set to play in Game 1 against Utah, according to Golden State’s Twitter feed. Shaun Livingston, who has a hand injury, is considered questionable for the contest.
Here’s more from the Western Conference:
- Chinanu Onuaku has been suspended two games for pushing an official during a D-League Finals appearance, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle tweets. Onuaku was not available for the Rockets‘ tilt with the Spurs tonight and he’ll miss Game 2 as well.
- Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News believes the Lakers could be a threat to sign Nerlens Noel. GM Rob Pelinka recently said that the team is looking for a big man who fit’s in today’s NBA.
- The Clippers will face some tough decisions this offseason, Bill Oram of the Orange County Register writes. Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and J.J. Redick will all be free agents, though it appears Los Angeles is committed to doing whatever it takes to bring Paul and Griffin back.
- Doug Haller of the Arizona Republic wonders if the Suns can find their point guard of the future in the upcoming draft and he examines some of the top options. Phoenix has a 19.9% at grabbing the No.1 pick and a 55.8% chance of landing in the top-3, as Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors recently detailed.
Burks May Be Shut Down For Postseason
The Jazz could be without the services of Alec Burks for the remainder of the postseason, Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune tweets. Per the paper’s sources, the guard could be shut down for the rest of the playoffs on account of his current knee injury.
Burks saw his role decrease substantially in 2016/17 and he averaged just 6.7 points per game in the opportunities that he did get. Sidelined for the entirety of Utah’s first-round series against the Clippers, Burks hasn’t played meaningful basketball since April 12.
The emergence of Rodney Hood over the course of the past two seasons and the offseason addition of Joe Johnson have limited Burks’ chances to thrive in the Jazz lineup. The 25-year-old, however, is just two seasons removed from averaging 33.3 minutes per game in an injury shortened 2014/15.
Jones adds that, while it appears as though the shooting guard will be shut down with Utah’s second round slated to begin on Tuesday, no final decision has been formally made.