Gordon Hayward?

[Bullet]

According to Steve Luhm's notes on the Salt Lake Tribune (http://blogs.sltrib.com/jazz/index.php? ... &tb=1&pb=1), Hayward was interviewed by the Jazz at the Pre-draft Combine. And, an article in the Indy Star (http://www.indystar.com/article/2010052 ... raft-board) says Hayward has been scheduled to workout with the Jazz and a handful of other teams.

Is this a sign that the Jazz are making a deal for a big, thus eliminating the need to pick up a big from the draft?

On a side note: Does anyone have an idea who the Jazz interviewed at the Combine?

[carrottop12]

I think the fact that the Jazz are interviewing players who have declared for the draft at a pre-draft combine is definitely a sign that the Jazz have already made plans to acquire a big outside of the draft.

But seriously, during the combine each team sets up a room where the players move from room to room getting interviewed, and teams can try to schedule interviews with any player they have interest in. Just because this is the only guy we have heard from as of now, you can bet the Jazz tried to interview everyone who is projected to go from 1-30 who was in attendance at the combine, and probably more.

Remember the Jazz never brought Maynor in for a work out and only got to interview him a day or two before the draft and they still picked him last year, so it's not all about who was first scheduled to work out.

If I were to make a guess, I would imagine the Jazz would definitely bring in Aminu, Johnson, Aldrich, Udoh, Monroe, Davis, Patterson, Orton, Whiteside, and Henry in for personal workouts, and then guys like Babbitt, Alabi, Sanders, Hayward, and George get brought in as well. Then you'll see a bunch of likely second rounders coming in.

Everyone else will be seen in some of the bigger workouts, and I fully expect the Jazz to be in attendance for workouts involving Turner, Cousins and Favors in the chance that we trade up.

[Pappyman]

I actually wouldn't mind if the Jazz drafted Hayward. Who cares if he might be a reach. I believe you draft the player that you want no matter when you pick. He actually would be a very good fit. Gordon is almost a true small forward. He is really good at defense, scoring, and rebounding. He arguably was the best player in the NCAA Tournament this last year. If that last shot he put up at the buzzer would have gone in, Butler would be National Champions. His acquisition would allow Utah to move AK back to his natural position of power forward, where he was an All-Star. He would be Paul Millsap's primary back up. I agree that Gordon is being undervalued by the NBA mock draft sites. Also, Hayward is still very young (sophomore), and he would have a lot of time to grow as a player. If the Jazz acquire a defensive center through trades or free agency, I would look for this depth chart:

PG: Deron Williams, Ronnie Price
SG: Wesley Matthews, Kyle Korver (re-sign)
SF: C.J. Miles, Gordon Hayward
PF: Paul Millsap, Andrei Kirilenko
C: Who knows?

[carrottop12]

Hayward has too many flaws IMO to warrant a pick this high. I don't think he's fast enough to guard any position in the NBA, and the lat thing the Jazz need is another liability on defense. In addition, I don't think he's quick enough or strong enough to get into the lane in the NBA like he did in college, and thus will be relegated to being a long distance shooter. From his college percentages, I don't really want to rely on him to be shooting the 3.

Not to mention he has dino arms.

[carrottop12]

For Bullet, here is Greg Monroe talking about the Jazz a little bit.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kjg-KTTako&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

[drivewayball]

Must be considering Heyward and a dozen others for this year's "Suton" pick, which is number 55.

[spoonhoops]

I think there are picks to be had later in the first round and if Hayward falls to the low 20s, the Jazz may have a shot. Hayward at 9 would be a horrible decision, not too mention the backlash Jazz fans would have on the organization for a pick like that.

[idajazz]

EWWWW, please just say no to Hayward.

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

Ya they like him so they are going to take a look at him but I highly doubt they pick him at 9th. If they really want him that badly they will trade down for multiple 1st round picks but I wouldn't count on it.

[eyeontheprize]

What a horrible pick at 9.

Typical Jazz

[DelaneyRudd]

What a horrible pick at 9.

Typical Jazz

Have I got great news for you! The OP is not a member of the Utah Jazz front office, and the draft is in a month.

[outerspacefella]

....Remember the Jazz never brought Maynor in for a work out and only got to interview him a day or two before the draft and they still picked him last year, so it's not all about who was first scheduled to work out. ....

If my memory doesn't fail, that was the case with Ronnie Brewer too...

[HolyToledo]

I like his ability to put the ball on the floor and be a ball handler at the Sf position but dont we have Miles and Ak-47 already who do the same thing or better plus they are better defenders than Hayward...of course he is white and not adverse to playing with the Jazz. I would like to to see the Jazz trade up to get the SG or trade the pick with Memo for a center like Biedrens or Kaman. From the Jazz perspective at least they are white as well.

[DelaneyRudd]

Look people, the official white team for the decade is the Pacers. It goes by decade. Celtics, Jazz, Pacers. It's about time a new white team emerges. Maybe the Wolves.

[StocktonShorts]

Look people, the official white team for the decade is the Pacers. It goes by decade. Celtics, Jazz, Pacers. It's about time a new white team emerges. Maybe the Wolves.

The Pacers have quite a collection of white forwards. Basketball Jesus is still looking for the heir to his kingdom.

[outerspacefella]

Huge reach Hayward at 9... I don't think it will happen... if they reach they're going to do it for a big young fella, not for a wing...

[Neon Black]

If we don't take a big with the 9th, Jazz will draft Xavier Henry.

[LjJazzman]

I actually really like hayward. 9 does seem high for him, I'd be happy seeing us trade down a little bit and take him tho. Thats EXACTLY the kind of player you want to take with this pick. Wings like that are the types of players that you can get for a steal around 7-12. Bigs with "upside" are exactly the kinds of picks that are huge busts where we are drafting.

I like Monroe, but I'd be happy wtih hayward. Let Booz go, move AK to pf for now and play hayward at the 3. We arent winning it all next year anyway. Might as well develop him, use AK while we have him and go from there.

[StocktonShorts]

Why exactly do the Jazz want Mike Dunleavy Part II?

[carrottop12]

He's not even the shooter Mike Dunleavy is. He has Adam Morrison bust potential imo.