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Exactly. I'm an advocate of trading Hayward, but not because I think he's an average player. He's very good. Maybe even an all-star if the Jazz were in the top-5 in the WC. The problem is that Utah can't pay everyone. A new cap of $100M sounds like a lot. But consider Favors and Hayward will both be eligible for 30% contracts and Gobert 25%. Let's even assume Utah gets a bit of a discount on Favors and even Hayward (although I think Gordon is going to want the max). Let's say those three take $25M each. That's still $75M. Trade Burks once Hood and Exum come up for raises. What do they get, $15-$20M each? So now the Jazz are at $110-$115M for just 5 players. Cut everyone else and go with rookies/Dleaguers at $525K each (I know it's somewhere around that range for rookies). So add at least $4.2M in payroll to get to 13 players. And obviously, I'm not counting guys like Lyles, Neto, Withey or anyone picked in the 1st round with a salary above rookie minimum,. Jazz are looking at $120M payroll (at a MINIMUM!). That's luxury tax territory for a team that would have NO ONE beyond the starting five outside of DLeaguers and 2nd rounders.
The logical choice for a trade is Hayward. He'll demand the most money and he'll be giving Utah the least bang for the buck. SF should also be the easiest position to fill, unlike PG or a dominant big. He'd also net Utah very good assets. Perhaps not what DWill got us, but every year there should be good shooters in the draft, even if was somewhere in the 10-15 range. Also, Jazz could take that $25-$30M and use it to go after another wing in free agency (or keep Burks if they choose) AND still have other picks/players acquired in a trade. If Dante develops a shot, you could even slide him over to the 2 and look at bringing in a stud PG with Hood at the 3.
