By all accounts, the Utah Jazz are Gordon Hayward's team.
The fifth-year forward enters the 2014-15 season with the heaviest contract on the franchise's books ($14.7 million). Last time around, the former Butler University star led the club in scoring (16.2) and field-goal attempts (13.4) while ranking second in assists (5.2).
He was also the organization's lone participant at Team USA's training camp—sophomore point guard Trey Burke suited up for the Select Team—though he was one of the last four players cut before the group took off for the FIBA World Cup.
In terms of both salary and stature, Hayward has been thrust into the driver's seat. And he has had trouble just getting the car out of the lot.
"While the Jazz's roster is intriguing, they've yet to add that go-to player who could be a star," wrote ESPN Insider Chad Ford (subscription required). "Their roster feels like a collection of good second or third starters on a playoff team."
A shot at Utah's lack of star power is a shot at Hayward himself. While Ford is right that the forward doesn't appear to have go-to-player potential, ...
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Article written by Zach Buckley
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