Snyder: Hayward is 'all in' with Jazz

On the surface, the Utah Jazz appear headed toward a watershed summer, with several players - most critically, Gordon Hayward - slated for free agency.

But considering the team's budding nucleus and the level of appreciation the fans have shown Hayward, Jazz head coach Quin Snyder feels the small forward's future in Utah is secure, regardless of how the team's postseason return (after a four-year hiatus) pans out.

"I think people here know it. That's why they've got billboards of him going up apparently," Snyder told Jody Genessy of the Deseret News. "He's being rewarded for the investment. His whole heart is in it. He's all in."

Hayward is having a career year, and is headed for a big payday. His pick-and-roll running mate and backline defensive anchor, Rudy Gobert, already got his, having signed a four-year, $102-million extension back in October. If Hayward sticks around, Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey feels the two can develop a partnership as fruitful as that of John Stockton and Karl Malone.

"Gordon knows that if we don't mess things thing up and Rudy's able to maintain good health, we should be able to build a top-five defense perennially," Lindsey said. "My hope is that it will be the modern-day version of John and Karl - that Rudy and Gordon will be that synonymous with the Jazz as well in the next 8-10 years."