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The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has extended a qualifying offer to guard/forward Gordon Hayward.
Hayward (6-8, 220, Butler) appeared in 77 games (all starts) for the Jazz in 2013-14, averaging career-highs of 16.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 36.4 minutes to become just the second player in Jazz history to average at least 16 points, with five-or-more rebounds and assists in a season (Pete Maravich in 1974-75 and 1976-77). Hayward registered nine double-doubles on the season (seven points/rebounds, two points/assists), posting seven double-digit rebound performances, and six games with 10+ assists. He scored in double figures 63 times, reaching 20-plus points on 22 occasions.
The 24-year-old Jazzman was originally selected by the Jazz in the first round (ninth overall selection) of the 2010 NBA Draft, and has appeared in 287 career games (179 starts) and owns averages of 12.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 28.4 minutes.
In accordance with the league’s collective bargaining agreement, in order for a team to retain its right of first refusal with respect to a restricted free agent, the team must tender the player a qualifying offer prior to June 30. A restricted free agent may sign an offer sheet with any team, but is subject to a right of first refusal with the team for which the player last played.
