Utah Jazz shooting guard Gordon Hayward will be one of the most coveted restricted free agents on the market this offseason, and the Phoenix Suns are expected to make "a significant offer" for Hayward, according to Jody Genessy of the Deseret News. The offer may even be a max deal, but the Jazz are expected to match if Hayward signs an offer sheet.
Suns eyeing Gordon Hayward, Jazz likely to match offer
The Suns might be willing to offer Hayward a max contract, but it’s still unlikely he winds up in Phoenix.
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Hayward averaged 16.2 points, 5.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds for the Jazz last year, but his shooting numbers were a bit disappointing. The 24-year-old shot just 41.3 percent overall and 30.4 percent from three, numbers that were significantly lower than past years.
Why this makes sense
While the Suns are set in the backcourt, they could use an upgrade on the wing. Although Hayward has been the 2 in Utah, he has the size and versatility to play the 3. P.J. Tucker had a nice season in Phoenix, but Hayward is clearly the better player.
Hayward's shooting numbers may have been down last season, but that could have been a function of him becoming more of a focal point of Utah's offense. In Phoenix, he wouldn't need to carry quite as much of the load, and he would get plenty of open looks playing off Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe.
Why this doesn’t make sense
The Suns are said to have eyes on LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony in free agency, and signing Hayward to a massive offer sheet would tie up some of the cap space. James and Anthony would clearly be priority No. 1, although Phoenix could quickly turn its eyes to Hayward if it's clear the fantasy scenario won't happen.
There’s also questions about Hayward’s actual value, and these would apply to both the Suns and Jazz. If Phoenix does offer a max, or close to a max, does Utah really feel it’s worth it to match? And if the Jazz actually decided to decline to match, would the Suns really want to be paying Hayward all that money, especially with Bledsoe in line for a huge extension himself?
Likelihood
Considering the James and Anthony partnership in Phoenix is highly unlikely, the idea of the Suns throwing a big offer at Hayward isn’t far-fetched at all. A max offer seems a bit out there, but I’d put the chances of the Suns inking Hayward to a lucrative offer sheet at around 50 percent. Of course, considering Hayward’s youth and upside, the Jazz will likely match almost any offer.
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