Months after being eliminated in the second round of the playoffs, salt continues to pour into the open wounds. It seems that the Jazz are losing two key contributors from their playoff run from last season. According to Chris Haynes of ESPN, free agent Gordon Hayward has chosen to sign with the Boston Celtics over the Miami Heat and Jazz. Before that, sources told the Vertical that point guard George Hill chose to sign with the Sacramento Kings.
Hayward's agent says no decision yet
Sources told Haynes that Boston was the pick by Hayward, but his agent, Mark Bartelstein, has said that there is no decision yet.
Jazz president Steve Starks tweeted that he trusts Bartelstein that no decision has been made yet. The Jazz were able to offer Hayward a lot more money than the Celtics, so they felt confident in their chances of keeping him. However, Boston offers a path to the NBA Finals in the watered-down Eastern Conference. The Celtics would have three impact players on the roster if the deal goes through in Hayward, Isaiah Thomas, and Al Horford.
If the deal is true, the Celtics will have a lot of work to do. According to Bobby Meeks of ESPN, the Celtics would have to pull back their qualifying offer to Kelly Olynyk, renounce free agents Jared Jerebko, James Young, and Gerald Green, plus, they would have to waive or trade Demetrius Jackson and Jordan Mickey.
The Celtics would then have to move either Terry Rozier or Marcus Smart. If it seems that the Celtics can't pull that off, then the Jazz are still in the running.
Hill chooses Kings
Hill agreed to a three-year, $57 million contract with the kings earlier in the day, after it was announced that Zach Randolph was signed by the Kings as well.
Hill had a meeting with the Lakers on Monday, but the Kings had more interest in the guard. The hope is that Hill will be the starting point guard for the team and act as a mentor as well for the team's young talent. The Kings recently drafted D'Aaron Fox in the draft this summer.
Jazz wont have immediate answer
The Jazz will be forced to pick up the pieces if Hayward leaves.
The Jazz have an abundance of young talent mixed with the right veterans, but Hayward was the franchise player. The Jazz still have Rudy Gobert and Joe Ingles, but nothing would be a bigger blow than Hayward leaving. The Jazz have the talent to be a top four team in the west if Hayward stays. However, it remains unclear what the Jazz will do if he bolts.
