Draft Day Frenzy Begins Early for Utah Jazz with Rumors, Trade

Gordon Hayward trade rumors and a deal to bring Indiana Pacers guard George Hill to the Utah Jazz signaled an early start to the 2016 NBA Draft frenzy.

What a difference a day makes. On Monday night, Utah Jazz fans were debating which prospect was the best fit for the team with the No. 12 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. By Tuesday night, rumors of teams chasing Gordon Hayward hit the ‘net, followed by conflicting reports the next morning about a Hayward trade demand.

Then, out of nowhere, the team had suddenly dealt its pick in the back-end of the lottery for veteran help at the point guard position in the form of Indiana Pacers point man George Hill.

In other words, human sacrifice, dogs and cats..living together–MASS HYSTERIA!

The frenzy tipped off with reports that both the Boston Celtics and the Phoenix Suns were dangling their picks at No. 3 and No. 4 respectively as part of packages designed to snare Hayward from the Jazz.

ESPN’s Marc Stein quelled the Hayward rumors in short order, reiterating the opinion of Jazz beat writers that Hayward was unavailable in potential deals.

Then the real fun began.

On Wednesday morning, SiriusXM NBA Radio host and HoopsCritic.com writer Brian Geltzeiler tweeted that Hayward had become disillusioned with the Jazz, was requesting a trade and that the team was actively attempting to make a deal happen.

As one might expect, this triggered an enormous response on social media, not just from Jazz fans, but from members of the basketball media. Very quickly, people like Jody Genessy of the Deseret News, Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune, Jazz radio announcer David Locke and a host of others denied the report’s validity.

Even Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey strongly denied the notion, saying “Any speculation that Gordon or the Jazz have expressed ‘unhappiness’ with each other has not happened. In fact, the relationship has grown deeper every year. Gordon, Robyn, Bernie and their relatives are considered core to the Utah Jazz family.”

Curiously, a check of Geltzeiler’s Twitter followers would show that Hayward’s father was a recent follower of the writer. A coincidence or proof for conspiracy theorists that the elder Hayward was griping to Geltzeiler? You can judge for yourself, but there’s been no evidence to support Geltzeiler’s report.

Of course, the craziness would continue even after Geltzeiler’s assertions were shot down when a fake/parody account of @MySportsLegion tweeted the following–

Next: George Hill Headed to Utah for No. 12 Pick

Hundreds of Celtics and Jazz fans saw this and took to Twitter with their thoughts, either praising or bemoaning the “deal.” All the while, Hayward remained a member of the Jazz and Lindsey worked to complete an actual deal with the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers, netting Hill for the team’s first round pick at No. 12.

The trade was met with overwhelming praise on social media. Hill, a player long considered a fit with the Jazz, helps solidify Utah’s need for improved point guard production, while providing strong defense and a veteran presence to help the team close games.

Of course, with his acquisition, the team technically has five point guards on the roster, counting Shelvin Mack, for whom the team has a contract option for next season, and former starter Trey Burke.

For all the Hayward rumors, not to mention the team’s actual trade to acquire Hill, the Jazz still have moves to make.

There’s also a belief out there that the Jazz could be looking at deals to get back into the first round.

So, while several hours remain until the 2016 NBA Draft begins, the frenzy is in full effect for the Utah Jazz.