Reflecting on Gordon Hayward's complicated legacy with the Jazz

Gordon Hayward may live in Utah Jazz infamy, but there's no denying that his career peaked during his time in Utah. The contempt for Hayward is justified, and a lot of that stems from the legacy he built for himself in Utah before he left, even if his impact led to only two playoff appearances and only one playoff series victory.

Following his retirement announcement via his X account, it's hard to look back fondly on Hayward, knowing his distasteful departure from the Jazz in 2017. However, it overshadows the impressive individual story he was when he played in Utah.

Hayward became an unexpected star in Utah

Being the No. 9 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, it's not like Hayward came into the NBA with no expectations whatsoever. The most reasonable expectation for him at the time was that he'd become a starter, which is what he became with time.

Hayward became a starter on average Jazz teams headlined by the likes of Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson. It wasn't until both left in 2013 that Hayward was now the focal point on a rebuilding team. That was a role Hayward stepped into, but didn't exactly knock out of the park at first.

The 16.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 5.1 rebounds he averaged in his fourth year were all career-highs, but they came at the expense of his worst efficiencies, shooting 41.3% from the field and 30.4% from three. Hayward had proven himself good, but until the following season, no one really knew what his ceiling was.

Hayward ascended into an unquestionable star in his last season with the Jazz, but it was clear as day that he played around that level starting in the 2014-15 season. He may have only made the team once, but Hayward proved himself as one of the NBA's rising two-way wings starting in his fifth season.

Hayward finally received recognition when the Jazz became an unquestionably playoff contender, but anyone who was watching knows Hayward was playing at that level for some time. In summation, Hayward was expected to be good, but nowhere near the All-Star he was when he was at the top of his game.

Hayward helped the Jazz become relevant post-Deron Williams

Though they capitalized on Williams' value when they moved on from him in 2011, the Jazz struggled to be anything better than half-decent for years after moving on from him. Hayward's ascent helped the Jazz become a relevant team again.

They may have only made the playoffs once, but the Jazz's fortunes turned around in one of the franchise's most impressive mid-season turnarounds. After starting the 2014-15 season at 17-33, the Jazz went on a late-season tear, ending the season just missing the playoffs at 38-44.

Did Hayward do this all himself? Of course not. The Jazz started turning their fortunes around the moment they started playing hot-shot sophomore Rudy Gobert over Enes Freedom. However, on a team very much deprived of any sort of offensive firepower, Hayward gave them precisely that and, by extension, gave them hope again.

An injury-plagued season got in the way of that hope the year afterward. However, getting the reinforcements they needed led to one very entertaining playoff run, even if it ended in a sweep at the hands of the Warriors.

Hayward's departure casts a shadow over his days with the Jazz, and their resilience following his exit further puts his impact into question. It still doesn't change that Hayward played a role in them grabbing everyone's attention again.

Hayward's strained relationship with Jazz ownership complicates his legacy

Hayward joined the Celtics because he would re-join his old college coach, Brad Stevens, and because they had experienced more playoff success than the Jazz. There was more to it than that. Hayward took it personally when the Jazz did not go out of their way to re-sign him in 2014 and elected to wait until someone gave him a contract sheet to match.

He never got over that, and both sides had a point in the matter. Hayward had proven he was above-average, but not special, but it makes sense why it would hurt him that the Jazz did not value him that much then. This led to him not only leaving the Jazz, but screwing them over in the process.

While it is worth wondering what could have been had Hayward stayed, in reality, he left Utah as one of their impressive individual stories that will always be remembered for ending in such heartbreaking fashion.

Getting past that, Gordon Hayward was an excellent basketball player who at least got his chance to see what he was like at full throttle during his days with the Jazz. Even though he's been gone for years now, he won't be forgotten.