The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Free agency update of current and former Jazzmen

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 28: Joe Ingles and Gordon Hayward of the Utah Jazz walk off the court after their 98-93 loss to LA Clippers in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 28, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 28: Joe Ingles and Gordon Hayward of the Utah Jazz walk off the court after their 98-93 loss to LA Clippers in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 28, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /
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SAN ANTONIO,TX – NOVEMBER 01: George Hill
SAN ANTONIO,TX – NOVEMBER 01: George Hill /

George Hill

To be quite frank, I’m sad to see what has come of the George Hill situation. His future with the Utah Jazz looked so promising early last season to the point where speculation was high that he could be the answer at the point guard position for several years to come. Now, however, Hill’s departure from the team is all but a guarantee after the Jazz traded a future first-round pick to acquire Ricky Rubio from the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Although I’m excited to see what Rubio can do in a Jazz uniform, it still feels like Hill’s time in Utah was much too short. True, his injury issues and his age were a concern as well as the hefty contract he was purportedly demanding, but when he was on the court and healthy, the Jazz as a whole simply seemed to hum.

Not to mention, it would appear that several former destinations for the one-time Jazz point guard have been quickly drying up, which almost makes one wonder if in hindsight Hill would have been better off simply agreeing to the extension offer that the Jazz put in front of him during the 2016-17 season.

Nevertheless, I have no doubt in my mind that Hill will find a good landing spot and will receive a significant pay raise in the process. Recently he has reportedly drawn interest from the likes of the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets and even his former Indiana Pacers. However, at this point it would appear that the Nuggets have emerged as the front runners.

Given that the Denver Nuggets just added All-Star Paul Millsap (more on him in a bit) to pair alongside rising star Nikola Jokic, this could be an excellent fit for Hill.

There are still a lot of uncertainties relating to George Hill and his ultimate destination as a free agent and in some ways it would be a shame to see him end up with a division rival. It wouldn’t surprise me if we’re still a few days removed from discovering Hill’s decision, but one thing that’s certain is that he won’t be returning to the Jazz next season.

And hopefully that won’t have too much bearing on the decision of Gordon Hayward.

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