Here's the problem with trying to trade for Hayward.... he makes around $16 million next year. It would be difficult to absorb that contract without using up a huge chunk of cap space, and we would still have a giant hole in the post. It's an intriguing situation though. Utah desperately needs a go-to-guy. CJ is a really solid go-to-guy. We need to be able to spread out our scoring load, and we need a big. If we offered CJ/Aminu/Plumlee/Vonleh for Hayward and Gobert, would Utah go for it? We would still have most of our cap space, and I'm wondering if we might be more attractive to someone like Durant with that lineup. Dame Crabbe Hayward Durant Gobert Durant could slide right into the four spot. Anyway, one can dream....
I don't. Could it be Adblock? EDIT: Yep, I disabled Adblock plus on the page and could see it. I think I filtered it because I find repeating motions anywhere on my screen outside of what I'm trying to read or watch EXTREMELY distracting.
I wouldn't mind absorbing his salary and give the Jazz cap room. I think he's better than many of the free agents options
Here's the problem - we're not just absorbing his contract. We're most likely giving up CJ as well. So not only would we have to give up CJ, we'd lose the cap space to go out and sign another key player. CJ+Dwight Howard (hypothetically) is better than Hayward by himself.
CJ for Hayward is almost a lateral move in terms of on floor production. I really like Hayward, but it's not worth breaking up the 2nd best backcourt in the NBA to try to land him. I think the Lakers should go hard at him with the #2 pick.
No way I would do that if I'm LA. I personally think Irving could be a superstar. There's no chance that Gordon Hayward is a superstar.
Ingram you mean? I agree, but it's not a sure thing. Hayward you know is a corner stone piece that you don't have to roll the dice on. Lower ceiling, but zero risk.
I'd LOVE to see that. LAL needs a superstar to turn that franchise around. They need the kind of star that will make other players play their again. Gordon Hayward is not that guy. He's decent, but nowhere near superstar level. No proven star will take less money to ride Gordon Hayward's coattails the way Malone and Payton did. Right now, LAL is not a destination of choice for free agents. I'd like to keep it that way. BNM
My dream scenario in July: the only two people left without dance partners are the Lakers and Dwight Howard... and they just stand there, staring at each other.
And, I'd just like t add, it's so nice to NOT see any threads about any of our players "wanting out". When a team's best player "wants out", it gives other players pause, makes them wonder what's going on behind the scenes and in the locker room. Even if Hayward stays, this kind of story tarnishes the reputation of a division rival. Kanter hated playing in UTA and now Hayward wants out. If I'm a free agent, I seriously ask myself what the fuck is wrong in UTA that people don't want to play there? BNM
Hayward isn't a cornerstone. Not at all. He's a second or third option guy. That's why Utah really hasn't done that well. They don't have a star player. Look at the top 8 teams in the west. Golden State - Curry/Thompson/Green San Antonio - Kawhi/Aldridge OKC - Durant/Westbrook Clippers - Paul/Griffin Portland - Dame/CJ Dallas - Dirk/Parsons Memphis - Conley/ZBO/Gasol Houston - Harden/Howard Hayward isn't any better than the stars on the top 5 teams. He might better than Dirk/Parsons. He's not even good enough to get that team into the playoffs. Utah is one of those teams that people talk about every single year as though THIS will be the year that they take a step forward and make the playoffs.... and so far they have not.
He's better than Dirk, Parsons and is on the Conley/Griffin tier of talent IMHO. He can handle the ball and initate the offense from the wing. I think the lack of a legit PG has held him back a bit from making the next jump in terms of offensive production.
Great, so he's better than an aging star and an injury prone 3rd option on the 6th best team in the league. That's not a cornerstone. He has been in the league for six years but he has never been an All-Star and he has never made an All-NBA team. If you're the best player on your team and you can't showcase yourself enough to warrant any honors, you're not a cornerstone.
