Danny Ainge reportedly wants to reunite Gordon Hayward, Brad Stevens in Boston

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Few things:

1. Stevens isn't just a coach to Hayward, he's been described as having a relationship with him like a second father.
2. It's clear that Hayward also has a deep level of respect for Snyder.
3. Multiple people have reported that Hayward considers Utah to be his franchise and that he's the leader here. He's been extremely complementary of the front office, praised the Gobert extension, etc.
4. I'm betting Hayward would take Hill/Exum over Thomas/Smart any day of the week. Wouldn't you?
5. Gobert is the real unicorn. Very few players like him in the league. Hayward knows and appreciates that.
6. There's a strong likelihood that if the team stays together, they're going to be penciled in as Western Conference finalists next year, with an outside shot of getting there this year if everything clicks. Spurs are losing steam, Clippers may blow up next year depending what happens in the off-season.
7. There isn't the same acrimony on Utah's team that there was rumored to be with Durant and Westbrook in OKC, for example. Hayward knows he's the man here but he's got a stellar supporting cast.

My prediction: no trade, Hayward and Hill both stay. And I'll bet a pair of lower bowl tickets next year to the first person who wants to bet against me.

I think that Utah is the perfect situation for George Hill at this stage of his career. I don't know what the extension talks look like, but Hill is a better fit in Utah than most other places.

Don't underestimate the Spurs and Clippers as suitors for Hayward, but I think that in the end, he likely stays in Utah.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I think that Utah is the perfect situation for George Hill at this stage of his career. I don't know what the extension talks look like, but Hill is a better fit in Utah than most other places.

Don't underestimate the Spurs and Clippers as suitors for Hayward, but I think that in the end, he likely stays in Utah.

The reports are Hill wants to hit UFA. That means he wants $$$.

 

[MTS]

2 years ago Hill only played 43 games.

Last year 74 (good)

This year missing a lot.

As he ages his injuries are getting worse we need to keep that in mind...

The nature of his injuries don't suggest he's getting more injury-prone. Injuries to the thumb and the toe are just fluky ****.

 

[Coach Ellis]

The nature of his injuries don't suggest he's getting more injury-prone. Injuries to the thumb and the toe are just fluky ****.

Maybe. . . but missing a ton of games in a contract year isn't going to help his number go up at all. Especially since there's a great situation that he's already in. If Utah makes a competitive offer, I think he'll stay.

 

[Cappy_Smurf]

5. Gobert is the real unicorn. Very few players like him in the league. Hayward knows and appreciates that.

Absolutely this.

Hill, Hood, Favors, Gobert, Burks is a much stronger top 5 to play with than anyone besides GS, and Hayward isn't going there to play for the minimum. Our bench is no slouch either.

Anyone thinking Hayward will leave for a better chance at a ring is severely underestimating this team. These injuries won't go on like this forever. We'll have one here and there, but this team will get mostly healthy sooner than later.

Boston doesn't offer a better chance to win. Not even close.

 

[Cappy_Smurf]

If injuries continue before all star break and we're unable to show Hayward this team is worth a damn, then trading him at the deadline is entirely possible IMO.

Utah is leading their division over teams with legit stars in Westbrook and Lillard, despite being decimated by injuries. At this point, there shouldn't be any doubt in anyone's mind that this team is worth a damn. If healthy, we could be top 3 in the entire league.

 

[Park Bites]

If I were Hayward, I'd rather play with Gobert than any of Boston's current bigs, and I wouldn't be terribly keen to wait on whomever Boston drafts in this next draft with the Brooklyn pick. That talent, albeit a good one, will be a couple years away at least, and probably isn't a sure thing.

I don't think that Boston is more attractive an option than Utah, especially if Hood and Gobert continue to develop this year. I like Avery Bradley, Isaiah Thomas and Al Horford as much as the next guy, but c'mon. The Celtics are about as potent as Charlotte and Detroit right now.

The teams that might look tempting to Hayward are San Antonio and the Clippers in the West. Add Hayward to those two teams and they're perennial 60+-win teams. I have no idea about the Eastern Conference, which is a mess.

the only way they get hayward is a trade for that brooklyn pick

 

[fishonjazz]

Going to Boston does not guarantee a title for Hayward though.

I would say it decreases his chance at a title by a lot