So, Utah, Gordon Hayward ripped out your hearts as NBA Free Agency lured him away? Portland has been there before, too.
If you haven’t heard, and certainly all of NBA social media has, Gordon Hayward left the Utah Jazz. The move is somewhat shocking given the Jazz just won the division and projected as a 60-win team.
Utah’s future only looked brighter with Hayward re-signing. Instead, he left for the Boston Celtics.
The forward has a strong connection with Boston’s coach, Brad Stevens, as the two enjoyed a run to the National Championship while both were at Butler. Their championship dream was just inches away.
Hayward cited his desire to win a championship in his Players’ Tribune article. This same site is the host of Kevin Durant’s Warriors piece that changed the NBA forever.
But, the site is also where Kyle Lowry announced his decision to stay in Toronto just days ago. And, on this very same site, Portland’s C.J. McCollum penned a love letter to Portland.
So, The Players’ Tribune isn’t all bad afterall.
But, Hayward’s decision didn’t really come from The Players’ Tribune. Rather, it was leaked by a source and first reported by ESPN’s Chris Haynes:
Free-agent Gordon Hayward plans to sign with the Boston Celtics, league sources tell ESPN.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 4, 2017
And that’s where this story turns.
Hayward’s agent seemed to backtrack on this decision, saying an agreement hadn’t been made. Many think this was just so he could tell the Jazz first, as is seen like a token of gratitude, not a backtrack on the overall decision. Regardless, he left, and the whole NBA world watched it happen.
How does this all tie back into the Blazers you ask? LaMarcus Aldridge.