Former Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio as well as key members of the Utah Jazz are traveling to San Diego to try and convince prized free agent Gordon Hayward to stay put in Utah.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Rubio is traveling all the way from Spain as part of the Jazz’s pitch to keep Hayward. Rubio will be joined by center Rudy Gobert and forward Joe Ingles as well as the team’s head coach Quin Snyder and general manager Dennis Lindsey.
Although traveling across the globe for a brief visit sounds tall, Rubio is simply returning a favor, as ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reports that Hayward told the Jazz he wanted to play with Rubio.
Hayward is in line for a big pay day. He declined his team option in May and the small forward could seek a contract which will most likely pay him $30 million per season. The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat also met with Hayward over the weekend.
Over the last three seasons, Hayward has averaged 20 points per game, while shooting 45 percent from the floor and 37 percent from behind the arc.
Minnesota acquired a 2018 lottery protected first-round pick from Utah – which originally belonged to Oklahoma City – in exchange for Rubio on June 30.
