OK, I tried to take good notes. Apologies for sentences that I missed, and for any typos.
Spence: First question: Why isn't Gordon Hayward going to be a member of the Utah Jazz next year?
Mark: That would take a long time to go through.
Spence: Take all the time you want.
Mark: Gordon and I spent a long time discussing it. It was an incredibly difficult decision, gut-wrenching. The Jazz did everything they could do as an organization to be world-class, treat Gordon well. Everything we hoped for, they did. Dennis created an atmosphere for winning and high-character players. What Quin has done for Gordon, I don't know you could put a value on it. Quin's mental toughness, approach to the game, skill level... Gordon's the player he is today because of Quin and the other coaches.
As a player in this league you only have a few opportunities when you get to pick and choose what you do. There's a small window in your prime when you can find something that might be just a little more appealing. We had every team in the league approach us to talk to him, and we said no to most of them. If he was ever to think about leaving Utah, we had to decide what might be attractive. We narrowed it down to Miama and Boston. He had a great visit at Miami, they did a terrific job. We thought that might be the spot for him. He went the next day to Boston and the same thing happened, we thought that might be the best spot. Then the next day the Jazz meeting him in San Diego hit it out of the park. When he got done with that meeting, he called me and we spent 3-4 hours on the phone. He was saying, "How can I leave Utah?". But there were still some things appealing about the other teams.
He woke up on Tuesday and was still undecided, kept going back and forth. And when all was said and done he wanted to challenge himself and get out of his comfort zone. Boston is storied, competes at the highest level, and of course there was his relationship with Brad. In the end his gut feeling was just that Boston was the right thing. There was no one thing, it was just what he felt in his gut was right.
Gordon: When Gordon is loyal to Brad Stephens, in some ways that's a cut at Quin because he's choosing one over the other.
Mark: I understand, but you can only pick one to be your coach. Gordon will have a relationship with Quin that will last the rest of their lives. It is a special relationship. He didn't choose Brad Stephens over Quin Snyder. What he chose, is there was something in his heart that wanted to play in a place like Boston. Utah is great, too, but you can only play for one team. Sometimes you have to follow your heart and it leads you down a certain path. That's what happened late Tuesday afternoon.
Spence: I have information that I believe to be true that Gordon knew what he was going to do MONTHS ago. If I'm wrong that's fine. If that is indeed the case why didn't he at least give the Jazz a heads-up so they could do a sign and trade? And is that still on the table?
Mark: That's inaccurate. Why would Gordon fly across the country on his own dime from California to Miami, then to Miami to Boston, then the next day from Boston to San Diego to spend 5 hours with the Jazz, if he knew what he was going to do? There's nothing to that. Nothing could be further from the truth. The one thing Gordon would never do is waste people's time. He wouldn't waste his own time, he hates missing time in the gym.
Regarding a sign and trade--we've told both the Jazz and the Celtics that we are willing. I can't tell you how hard it was for me to call Dennis. He asked if we could help facilitate a sign and trade. I told him and Danny Ainge "absolutely". But I can't force the Celtics to make a trade they don't want to make. But what I asked him is that if it's even close, please give the Jazz the benefit of the doubt so they can get some value out of this. Whether something gets done at this point is up to the Jazz and Celtics, though. I'd love to help them.
It's emotional. It's what makes fans great. They connect to the Jazz. And Jazz fans are among the best in the world. They start talking and think they know what was going on, because they are passionate. But most of it isn't true.
Spence: Why didn't your client call Gail Miller/Dennis Lindsay/Quin Snyder? Why was it you? The Jazz gave him so much, why wouldn't he himself pick up the phone?
Mark: Who's told you he didn't pick up the phone? I don't believe that is accurate.
Spence: Dennis himself told me.
Mark: Gordon has definitely spoken with Quin. Probably not Dennis yet, but he texted him. He will certainly talk to the Miller family when the time is right.
Gordon: In his treatise, Gordon talked about the Celtics, about "the amazing potential of this team, from the front office to everyone else". Just by saying that, he may not mean it that way... but what about the Utah Jazz? There's no owner in Boston that's classier than Gail Miller. When you say what you say about the Celtics, that's a backhanded slap at the Jazz.
Mark: Did you read the whole letter? He talked about Quin Snyder and everything he's done. He talked about...
Spence: Come on that was a love letter to his college coach! He talked about Jeremy Evans as his favorite teammate, didn't mention anyone current. And all due respect but the smoke has been blowing towards the Boston Celtics...
Mark: I can't tell you how to feel. I can only tell you what the guy's abut. He said beautiful things about the Jazz from the way I read it. He also said some reasons why he's going to the Celtics. The Jazz have been nothing but spectacular towards Gordon Hayward. I know I've expressed that to Dennis numerable times. Quin knows that for sure. When these things happen there are going to be hard feelings. We can all look back at things and think of things we could do better. That's part of life. We've seen all kinds of free agents that met with 5-6 teams they knew they weren't going to join, and took weeks to decide. We did this as fast as possible, criss-crossed the country in 3 days so we would NOT hold anyone up. Was it perfect? No, nothing's perfect. But you try to do the best you can, try to respect the organization that's treated you beautifully since the day you arrived. Was his heart and intention in the right place? No question.
Gordon: On the other hand, when there are 2-3 good choices... we get that, but the ultimate choice was to go somewhere else. So the "loyalty" word comes up and in the end it wasn't strong enough to keep him here. So you can understand why people...
Mark: There are players all over the NBA who love where they play, and they get a phone call to find out they've been traded. Or released. And no one questions the teams when they do that because they have to make that tough decision because it's in their best interest. The fans of Salt Lake City, Dennis, Quin... it doesn't get any better. I believe that and I know Gordon does too. But he wanted to challenge himself with something else. People do that. They take a different job, move across the country.
Spence: on July 4 the story was leaked. Chris Haynes had it, ESPN had it. You disputed it, I've read the transcript of what you said. Your assertion is that when the story came out it was incorrect. But during the 6 hour window between the leak and Gordon's post, the Jazz had three options in trade that they had to let go.
Mark: If that happened I feel terrible about it. But there was no story to leak! The only people privy to Gordon's thoughts at that time were Gordon and myself. No one knew. Someone may have spoken to Gordon right after the Boston interview and THOUGHT they knew something... someone may have taken a guess, and ended up being right. There was a 1 in 3 chance. In terms of what happen to the Jazz and the timing, I only want the best for the Jazz. Free agency is like musical chairs. That's why we tried to move quickly. I don't think there's ever been a guy who did three visits to three cities in three days then made the deicision the next day. The only way to do it faster would be for the NBA to change the rules. But we weren't allowed to visit until Jul 1.
Gordon: I agree, do what you can to change that rule. You lay out all this information. But for people here logic comes into play; when they hear people say Boston is a better place and Gordon includes that in his writing, people say [missed it]. When you look at what was built here and Gordon being the centerpiece and Quin being as good a coach as Brad, then when you say Gordon had some sort of emotional thing, you can understand why that's hurtful to the people here.
Mark: I didn't say it was an emotional thing. I said it was an emotional decision. The decision was based on a gut feeling on where he would be most challenged. Guys, some people like chocolate and some like vanilla. This is a subjective deicision. There is nothing negative about the Jazz. Quin is as good as it gets. The Millers treat their players like family. But sometimes people feel like it's time for a change in their life. He didn't go into this process thinking he needed a change, but that's what he ended up deciding.
Spence: You've been accused of utilizing the fact that Gordon was good friends with Joe Ingles in order to get him a really good deal with Utah.
Mark: I think that's insulting to both Dennis, Joe, and msyelf. I would never do that, Dennis would never do that. Joe would have had no trouble getting deals.
Spence: I agree with that.
Gordon: [missed it]
Mark: It was a gut feeling. Did you ever make a decision where you did what you felt in your heart was best for you?
Spence: But it's different. It's like if you left your agency to start a new agency, that would be different. If I left my radio station it would be different. Gordon leaving doesn't just change the Jazz, it changes the town of Salt Lake
Mark: That's why it was so difficult. Gordon is a pleaser. He doesn't like disappointing people. He didn't just decide "Oh what the heck, I want to leave Utah and go to Boston". But he's the one that has to wake up every morning and live his life. Just like you and me, he make decision for his happiness. And maybe it won't work out. But we should appreciate the fact that he's entitled to make his decision for him and his family.
Gordon: Fair enough. Folks here know they live in a great town. But it seems like the Jazz have struggled in the past to lure in big free agents. Is it possible for Dennis, QUin, and orgnaization to get a difference maker in free agency based on your frame of reference?
Mark: Absolutely. If the people helping the player make their decision are knowledgeable it will happen. Player development, no one does it better than the Jazz and their staff. The Jazz are the only game in town, everyone here cares what you do. It doesn't get better than this. Everyone tries to say why their teams are the best, and you wouldn't believe how many teams wouldn't believe Gordon wouldn't even talk to them! I think Utah without question is going to be a destination spot. Is it New Yowk and LA, with the same things they have to offer? No. But when you spend time in Utah, the people are so friendly, there is not a better place to raise a family, the money they are putting int the practice facility and arena, there's not a better place.
Spence: You said Gordon is waiting for the right time to call Gail Miller. Why isn't the right time NOW? I encourage your client to pick up the phone, the right time is now.
Mark: He's in Boston, doing a physical. There was so much emotion, a lot of things said in the Utah market that were unfair. That's part of why the players get paid the money they get paid is that people are passionate about sports. I say to guys "if some of the stuff is unfair to read, people hurt you, that's because they care." His reltaionship with fans in Utah is important, relationship with Millers is important, he'll certainly talk to Gail.
Spence - I appreciate you coming on, you're one of the best in the business. When people see that nappy haired kid grow up to be an all star, it's an emotional time for them.
Mark: Sorry I couldn't come on yesterday, I was involved in a deal. If you need me again I'm happy to jump on. The one thing you've got going Dennis and Quin are as good as they good, the Jazz will make the right moves.
Gordon: Next time you have a big free agent, nudge him this way.
Mark: I'll do that [leaves]
Spence: If I sounded harsh in the interview I'm sorry. It's an emtional time and someone needed to ask him these questions. I still believe he's spinning the actual reality of the situation.
Gordon: Action drowns out the words. People here should be disappointed. The team here is what facilitated his opportuinity to become what he's become.
Spence: Get on the damn phone! Call Quin! Call Gail! Call Kevin O'Connor, the guy that drafted you way higher than people thought you should go. Call Dennis! Call Johnny Bryant, you were with him LAST WEEK making sure you were ready to go. He's employed by the Jazz, not the Celtics! Be a man, pick up your phone, call your former owner, call your coach, call the guy that drafted you, call your former GM, call Johnny Bryant, and tell them that you are very thankful for the opportunities they gave you.
Gordon: Based your decision on a "gut feeling", that's pretty heavy for people around here to absorb because it doesn't make sense.
Spence: Thanks to Mark for coming on the air. I knew it wasn't going to be easy. I thought it was important for us to ask these questions. I think very highly of him, I'd recommend his as a great agent, but I think he's following marching orders from his client.
