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Where Does Gordon Hayward Land In 2010 NBA Re-Draft?

By Ryan Aston

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My friends, all is right with the basketball world. NBA training camps are just around the corner, Utah Jazz media day is just over three weeks away and Jody Genessy has become a Twitter sensation. As the Pointer Sisters once proclaimed, “I’m so excited…and I just can’t hide it!”

Well that got dark. I get a little scared myself when I think about the Jazz point guard situation. Still, we don’t need Zack Morris to console us–we’re rolling with the punches here in Jazz Nation! Positional uncertainty notwithstanding, basketball is coming back and Quin Snyder’s crew is set to take the Western Conference by storm!

So, for those of you “about to lose control and I think I like it,” here are some interesting Jazz-related pieces from around the net for us to discuss and debate as the NBA returns to the public consciousness.

Re-picking the 2010 NBA Draft

With the ninth pick of the 2010 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz finally cashed in the long-fabled New York Knicks pick by taking Gordon Hayward from Butler. In hindsight, this was obviously a great return on a long-held asset. But what about the rest of the draft?

If one were to redo it from top to bottom based on what the players involved have done in their careers, how would it all shake out? Where would Hayward land and who would have been left for the Jazz?

Eric Saar did a second take on the 2010 NBA Draft’s opening round for Basketball Insiders with interesting results. In his re-draft, Hayward is gone at No. 7 to the Detroit Pistons and falls one spot behind Eric Bledsoe. Here is his take on Hayward–

"“Instead of getting Greg Monroe at seven, the Pistons get Hayward, who is a better fit with their 2012 pick Andre Drummond. While not elite, Hayward has the size, skill and shot to have a long career in the NBA. He’s the leader of the youthful Jazz and is very talented. But one wonders what could have been if Detroit (now with Stan Van Gundy at the helm) had Drummond and Hayward as building blocks. They sure would be further along in their rebuild.”"

I would probably argue that Hayward is elite (whatever that means these days) at his position. He definitely wouldn’t escape the top five in my 2010 do-over. With G-Time gone, Saar has the Jazz taking an interesting player at No. 9. He also discusses Derrick Favors, Trevor Booker, Jeremy Evans and Elijah Millsap.

It’s a worthwhile read with compelling arguments made for each selection. Give it a look.

Redrafting the 2010 NBA Draft – Basketball Insiders

Oct 12, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets small forward Andrei Kirilenko (47) looks up at a rebound against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of the preseason game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Five Utah Jazz Players Born in the Wrong Era

This one comes to us from Ben Anderson, co-host of 1320 KFAN radio’s Gunther in the Afternoon and KSL.com contributor. Anderson is always on his game as relates to the Jazz and proposes an interesting discussion here about players who could have been more successful in different eras.

His assessments are spot on. I couldn’t help but chuckle about the idea of Al Jefferson being a throwback to a forgotten time. While Anderson muses about a Jazz frontcourt featuring Big Al and Karl Malone, I can’t help but imagine Jefferson teaming with the likes of Jerry West, Elgin Baylor and Hot Rod Hundley in the pre-Wilt era of Lakers ball.

The following line about Mehmet Okur made me think about another Jazzman who didn’t make the list–

"“While it may be hard to believe that a player who retired in 2012 missed out on much of the modern NBA, Mehmet Okur is a good example of just how fast the NBA changes.”"

I definitely agree, but this also poses questions about Andrei Kirilenko‘s fit in the modern NBA. With coaches employing positionless lineups and the league increasingly relying on things like length and versatility, Kirilenko would have seen more success in the current hoops landscape.

In a world where Draymond Green spends time at the center spot and Kawhi Leonard is named NBA Finals MVP, a healthy AK-47 is probably worth that max contract in today’s NBA.

Check out Anderson’s full list–5 Utah Jazz Players Born in the Wrong Era.

Deron Williams Excited to Begin Anew with the Mavericks

Finally, our former franchise point man Deron Williams is looking to turn it around this year with the Dallas Mavericks. I, for one, think that D-Will still has the game to make it happen. At the very least, things can’t get worse than they did last season with the Nets.

In a piece by Earl K. Sneed for Mavs.com, Williams expresses optimism about his new digs and the fresh start he’s getting. He also spoke about what it will be like to take the floor with his former Jazz teammate Wesley Matthews—

"“It’s going to be different. You know, he was my rook then, so I was treating him a little different than I have to treat him now. But we’ve been friends and we’ve stayed in contact throughout the years, so I’m definitely excited about playing with him again.”"

I know there’s a contingent of Jazz fans that hold ill will toward Williams for everything that unfolded in his last season here, but I’m hoping he can return to form in Dallas–just as long as the Jazz still beat out the Mavericks for a playoff spot. Check it out–

Deron Williams Looks Forward to ‘Fresh Start’ with Dallas Mavericks

Next: TBT Throwdown: Karl Malone vs. Charles Barkley

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