Wednesday 16 July 2014

Jazz match Hornets' offer, bring back Gordon Hayward


The Utah Jazz weren't willing to let Gordon Hayward get away.
Nine months after failing to get an extension done with their young guard, the Jazz matched the Charlotte Hornets' four-year, $63 million offer to their restricted free agent and will now bring him back to their rebuilding team. And while it had seemed as if the 24-year-old Hayward may have been ready for a change of scenery, his agent, Mark Bartelstein, said that – while he was flattered and impressed with the Hornets' group – he's more than happy to return to Utah on this deal.
"Charlotte put a great presentation in front of (Hayward), as far as (owner) Michael Jordan and (general manager) Rich Cho and (coach) Steve Clifford; I mean they really just made a terrific impression," Bartelstein told NBASPORT UPDATES. "And you know, it's great to know the Jazz think so highly of Gordon that they want to match it. So I think it's a win-win, you know? Charlotte made an incredible impression on him, and that's why he signed with them, and it's always great to know that your team values you that they would match an offer like that.
"(Hayward is) very thankful to Charlotte, and appreciate and that won't be forgotten. For the Jazz, I think they made a strong statement about how they feel about Gordon and now he'll come and play his heart out for them as he always has."
Hayward averaged 16.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game last season, but the Jazz went just 25-57. Yahoo Sports first reported that the Jazz decided to match Charlotte's offer to Hayward.

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