NBA: Jazz extend qualifying offer to Hayward

The Utah Jazz extended a qualifying offer to guard/forward Gordon Hayward, the team announced.

The Jazz now can match any offer Hayward gets on the free-agent market.

Yesterday, the Jazz extended a qualifying offer to @gordonhayward. Details: http://t.co/XGaGJUWzuG pic.twitter.com/hCSe5M7Z1C

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) June 26, 2014

Hayward (6’8”, 220 pounds) 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 was the other).

Hayward, 24, was originally selected by the Jazz in the first round (ninth overall selection) of the 2010 draft, and has appeared in 287 career games (179 starts), averaging 12.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 28.4 minutes. - Reuters