HoopsHype.com Rumors

Utah small forward/shooting guard Gordon Hayward was also a teammate of Williams. Hayward called Williams a leader offensively, defensively and spiritually. “As far as what he brings through Christ, he connects the way he plays. He leads by example,” Hayward said. Baptist Messenger

Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz, Gordon Hayward, Deron Williams 

Bill Oram: Per @prioritysports, which represents @gordonhayward, Jazz swing man is headed back to Team USA minicamp this summer. Twitter @tribjazz

Utah Jazz, Gordon Hayward, USA Basketball 

Jody Genessy: Lindsey brought up this interesting fact: "We were evaluating players older than Gordon." Hayward turned 23 years old in March. Twitter @DJJazzyJody

Utah Jazz, Draft, Dennis Lindsey, Gordon Hayward 

Bill Oram: NBA players don't often struggle to get phone #s, but Gordon Hayward REFUSED to help former UCLA PG Earl Watson reach Butler's Brad Stevens Twitter @tribjazz

Utah Jazz, Gordon Hayward, Earl Watson 

Bill Oram: A fan hollered at Gordon Hayward, "Are you playing tonight?" He gave fan a thumbs up. Now he's telling TV that he's back. That settles that. Twitter @tribjazz

Utah Jazz, Gordon Hayward, Injuries 

The Suns also have shown interest in a bigger splash for Utah’s Al Jefferson or Gordon Hayward. Dudley could be a part of either of those deals with center Marcin Gortat likely needed to make one work for Jefferson, a 28-year-old power forward who makes $14 million and is averaging 17.4 points and 9.5 rebounds. Hayward, a 22-year-old swingman, is averaging 13.5 points in a reserve role. “We all realize this is a business,” Suns interim head coach Lindsey Hunter said. “I was a player once, and I was traded a couple times. It’s nothing personal. It’s just business, and I think guys understand that now.” Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Trade, Al Jefferson, Marcin Gortat, Gordon Hayward 

Gordon Hayward was expected to practice Monday and could return to game action as early as Tuesday, coach Tyrone Corbin said. The third-year reserve has missed eight games with a right shoulder sprain suffered at the end of the Jazz’s win over Indiana on Jan. 26. Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Gordon Hayward, Injuries 

The Suns also have shown interest in a bigger splash for Utah’s Al Jefferson or Gordon Hayward. Dudley could be a part of either of those deals with center Marcin Gortat likely needed to make one work for Jefferson, a 28-year-old power forward who makes $14 million and is averaging 17.4 points and 9.5 rebounds. Hayward, a 22-year-old swingman, is averaging 13.5 points in a reserve role. Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson, Gordon Hayward 

Ric Bucher: Latest word on Utah Jazz and who they'll keep vs. deal between Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap: Jefferson is the likeliest to stay right now, according to several opposing team executives. Consensus is the Jazz can't afford to keep both with Gordon Hayward soon to be eligible for an extension and the belief that Hayward is in the team's long-term plans. Sulia

Utah Jazz, Trade, Al Jefferson, Gordon Hayward, Paul Millsap 

Jonathan Rinehart: Gordon Hayward suffered a grade-one right shoulder sprain late in tonight's OT win over Indiana. X-rays were negative. He is day-to-day. Twitter @jonrinehart

Utah Jazz, Gordon Hayward, Injuries 

Jody Genessy: Paul Millsap credited Gordon Hayward for being the "glue guy" for the Jazz recently. Does that make Millsap the "stitch guy" of the team? Twitter @DJJazzyJody

Utah Jazz, Gordon Hayward, Paul Millsap 

Gordon Hayward: What a game!! #jazznation was awesome! Clutch shot by Mr. @Maurice Williams #gg Twitter @gordonhayward

Utah Jazz, Gordon Hayward 

The third-year guard played as a reserve again, as the Utah Jazz once again started a big lineup against the Houston Rockets. In the 102-91 win at EnergySolutions Arena, Hayward was one of the best players on the floor. He scored 15 points and combined with Marvin Williams to give Utah a presence when the starters sat down to rest. The two displaced starters provided energy when the big lineup sputtered, and depth when the Jazz fell into an early deficit. "I’ve never had a problem with starting or coming off the bench," Hayward said. "It’s just a matter of being ready with whatever the role is for that night. You have to play hard and you have to be aggressive." Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Gordon Hayward 

Bill Oram: Kobe: “I like Hayward a lot. I’m a big fan of his.” Twitter @tribjazz

Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, Kobe Bryant, Gordon Hayward 

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has elected to exercise its fourth-year team options for forwards Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward, as well as the third-year team options on guard Alec Burks and center Enes Kanter. The options for all four players are through the 2013-14 season. Per team policy, financial terms were not released. NBA.com

Utah Jazz, Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward, Enes Kanter, Alec Burks 

Bill Oram: When talking about Adam Silver as new commish tonight Gordon Hayward said, "He's the guy with glasses, right?" #FirstRounderProblems Twitter @tribjazz

Utah Jazz, Gordon Hayward, Adam Silver 

It’s Year Three for Hayward, and he enters this season with an elevated status on the Jazz roster. For the first time, he is the undisputed starting shooting guard, and a primary scoring option on a team without a go-to points producer. "As an NBA player, you want to be a starter," Hayward said. "You want to be one of the main guys on your team. I’ve put in a lot of work to get where I’m at." Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Gordon Hayward 

Hayward is still too polite and deferential to demand he must start when Utah tips off its regular season Oct. 31 at Dallas. But for the first time in his career, he’s on the verge of publicly demanding respect. "I’ve shown that I belong in the league," said Hayward, who averaged 11.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists last season during 66 games (58 starts). "And it’s something that you work for and you work towards, and now I know that I belong ... and now you push yourself even further." Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Gordon Hayward 

Hayward (6-8, 210, Butler) was one of two Jazz players to appear in all 66 games (58 starts) in 2011-12, averaging 11.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 30.5 minutes during his second NBA season. "The USA Select Team was a vital part of the USA Men's National Team's training in 2007, 2008 and 2010, and again in 2012 we'll utilize this team of select NBA players to help get our National Team ready for the very competitive summer that is ahead of us," said Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball chairman. "Being chosen for the Select Team is quite an honor, and it's an important step in becoming involved in USA Basketball's National Team program in the future. In the past, current national team finalists like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, Derrick Rose, LaMarcus Aldridge, Andre Iguodala, as well as many other outstanding players got their USA National Team start through the Select Team." Deseret News

Utah Jazz, Gordon Hayward, USA Basketball 

The selected players of the Team USA Select team are: Ryan Anderson (Orlando); DeJuan Blair (San Antonio; DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento); DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors); Derrick Favors (Utah Jazz); Paul George (Indiana); Taj Gibson (Chicago); Gordon Hayward (Utah); Kyrie Irving (Cleveland); Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio); Jeremy Lin (New York); Klay Thompson (Golden State); and John Wall (Washington). Sulia

Derrick Favors, DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George, John Wall, Gordon Hayward, DeJuan Blair, DeMar DeRozan, USA Basketball, Jeremy Lin, Taj Gibson, Ryan Anderson, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard