Tuesday was always going to be torturous for Utah Jazz fans. Gordon Hayward’s crew made it more torturous.
Well, not EVERY team in the NBA West is having a good summer
Good morning. We have that and more in Wednesday’s NBA newsletter.
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After reputable reporters (led by ESPN’s Chris Haynes) had broken the news Hayward chose the Boston Celtics, Hayward’s camp pushed back strongly, saying no decision had been made. The Jazz verified they’d been told nothing. Hours later, Hayward confirmed the news via a 2,000-word Players’ Tribune piece titled, “Thank You, Utah.”
No, thank you, Gordon Hayward, for a lovely Fourth of July for the good people of Salt Lake City.
All that aside, the Celtics landed another big fish a year after reeling in Al Horford. The Jazz watched George Hill sign with the Kings earlier in the day. They’d hoped some injury luck and internal growth could get them to 60 wins next season. Now Utah is on the playoff fringe, chasing second- and third-tier wing replacements for Hayward. Dennis Lindsay has proven highly capable, but the pool is drying up, and there’s no one out there who can replace Hayward.
Given how other Western Conference teams have improved, the Jazz stand to sink quite a bit. Rudy Gobert is indisputedly their best player -- he was 1b with Hayward last season -- and Ricky Rubio is a good fit. But on Tuesday the Jazz lost their two best scorers. Their offense was already just a notch above average. Unless Rodney Hood is ready to increase his volume substantially or Joe Johnson is ready to go back to that 32-minute life, Utah’s going to suffer for this.
Here’s Paul Flannery on how Danny Ainge brought the Celtics to this point and landed Hayward.
One thing was absolutely certain if Hayward left Utah: Gobert was going to be salty on the internet. Sure enough, the Stifle Tower showed out.
Hayward’s departure ruins Utah’s long, slow climb up the mountain. He might eventually help the Celtics get past LeBron James, though. The Heat, one of the finalists for Hayward’s services, can still salvage the summer.
Otto Porter decided to sign the Nets’ max offer sheet. The Wizards are widely expected to match.
Zach Randolph decided to join Hill in Sacramento on a two-year, $24 million deal. I wrote about how Z-Bo and Memphis were a perfect fit. R.I.P. Grit ‘n Grind. Geoff Calkins’ goodbye was really sweet.
The Heat officially waived Chris Bosh and announced they’ll retire his number. He still plans to try to convince doctors he can play elsewhere. Regardless, he’ll get a $52 million payout in biweekly increments over the next five years.
Steal of the summer? The Thunder will pay Patrick Patterson $16 million ... over three years!
I wrote about Kevin Durant’s choice to take less from the Warriors being another form of player power.
And finally: Woj is new to the ESPN studios in Bristol. He’s still learning his way around. That journey included walking into a live set during Hayward coverage on Wednesday. Been there, brother.
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