It is fun to talk about a Gordon Hayward homecoming to the Indiana Pacers, but the chances of it happening are slim to non-existent.
Look, I get it. Gordon Hayward playing for the Indiana Pacers would be more than just a homecoming for the state of Indiana, it would be a top 30 player joining the team and giving Paul George a legitimate All-Star teammate.
But the chances of that happening are slim to non-existent.
For starters, the idea was floated around several times over the past year or so, but as far as I know, there isn’t a single report that says Hayward has expressed any interest in returning to Indiana, much less leaving the Utah Jazz.
Yes, Hayward was born in Indianapolis. Yes, he went to Butler. But again, I don’t recall a single story that says the Pacers should fire up Skylar Grey’s “Coming Home”, or any other team for that matter.
There isn’t a stray quote about wanting to play somewhere else, there isn’t a rumor like the ones floating around about Paul George. There is nothing of note, other than the speculation he’ll at least test free agency, something we always hear when a player enters free agency.
Every time this comes up I think the whole idea is preposterous — it is Crab Rangoon and things of that nature — until we hear a single word out of his camp that he wants to leave the Utah Jazz, much less return to Indiana.
PF Chang's waiter: "[Recites specials] Stephen A. Smith: (Acts surprised) "To me, that's preposterous. Crab Rangoon, things of that nature."
— David Roth (@david_j_roth) June 13, 2012
Again, the moment he says he is leaving Utah, then anything is possible.
On top of that, the Pacers don’t have the cap room to sign him right now, unless Hayward doesn’t like money and doesn’t want a max contract. Indiana has roughly $17 million in cap room, and can only free up a few more million if they renounce the rights to several players. The reason everyone thinks he’ll turn down his player option for next season is because of the money.
Hayward is getting paid this summer, and getting paid well. Probably around $30 million or more. Unless the Pacers trade Al Jefferson’s and Monta Ellis’ contracts, there isn’t nearly enough room to sign Hayward.
There is little reason to think Hayward is leaving the Jazz for the Pacers. They money is too good to pass up on, his bromance with George Hill is only beginning, and at the moment, the Jazz are a better team than the Pacers.
Next: What to expect from the Kevin Pritchard era
Is it possible? Yes, it could happen. I’d love to see Gordon Hayward in a Indiana Pacers jersey, but right now, we don’t have much of a reason to talk about it other than it is a fun conversation.