Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz Reportedly ‘Far Apart’ in Contract Extension Talks

We knew the Utah Jazz were interested in signing Gordon Hayward to an extension before the October 31 deadline, but according to Yahoo!, the Jazz and Hayward are a ways away from getting a deal done: “As the deadline for Class of 2010 contract extensions looms at midnight on Friday, the Utah Jazz and forward Gordon Hayward remain far apart in discussions, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Talks are expected to pick up this week, but there’s nothing resembling even the baseline for an agreement in place, sources told Yahoo. Discussions could push all the way to the final hours of the Oct. 31 deadline. The Jazz have re-signed Derrick Favors to a four-year, $47 million-plus extension and have been in talks with Hayward’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, on a proposed deal. So far, there’s been little progress or momentum, but many of these deals need the pressure of a deadline to get sides to move. The Jazz will have the right to match an offer sheet on Hayward in restricted free agency next summer and need to weigh how much more it could cost the franchise to ultimately retain him should he hit the open market.”