The Utah Jazz are hoping that trading for point guard Ricky Rubio will convince free-agent small forward Gordon Hayward to sign with the team. According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, Hayward told the Jazz that he wanted Rubio and would love to play with him. The Jazz made that happen, sending a 2018 first-round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Rubio, a known pass-first point guard.
Hayward met with the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics over the weekend and faced the Jazz top brass Monday in San Diego. According to ESPN, Rubio flew from Spain to join the meeting, which was also attended by general manager Dennis Lindsey, team President Steve Starks, and head coach Quin Snyder.
Teammates Rudy Gobert and Joe Ingles also participated in persuading Hayward to stay.
Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe reported that Hayward wants to “regroup” after his meeting with the Jazz and will need more time before announcing his decision. Hayward opted out of the final year of his deal with the Jazz worth $16.7 million to test the free-agent market. He can get a maximum five-year deal worth $177.5 million with the Jazz while the Heat and Celtics can offer him a four-year contract.
Last season, Hayward made it to his first All-Star Game and averaged 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. Hayward spent the first seven years of his career with the Jazz, averaging 15.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists during that span.
He was the Jazz’s ninth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.
Rubio could boost Jazz’s offense
A fifth overall pick by the Timberwolves in 2009, Rubio was known as a pass-first playmaker in his six years in Minnesota. Rubio’s passing ability will certainly benefit Hayward, Joe Johnson, Ingles, and Gobert. Last season, he averaged 11.1 points and 9.1 assists in 75 starts for the Wolves.
In his career, he averaged 10.3 points and 8.5 assists.
Jazz, Ingles agreed to four-year deal
Sam Amick of USA Today reported that the Jazz and Ingles have agreed to a four-year contract worth $52 million. Ingles was known for his durability and outside shooting in his three years with the Jazz. He played 82 games last season and 81 in 2015-16.
In his rookie year, he saw action in 79 games. Last season, he tallied 7.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, all career highs. He also made a career-high 44.1% of his shots from beyond the arc and displayed steady defense against stars of other teams.
