Tonight, the Jazz begin their second-round matchup with Golden State. While Utah prepares for a difficult challenge against the heavily favored Warriors, there are other team-centric happenings worthy of monitoring. Stay current below:
- The Jazz’s first-round ousting of the Clippers could have a positive effect on the team’s chance of retaining key free agents Gordon Hayward and George Hill beyond this offseason, reports Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports. Earlier in his career, the 27-year-old cornerstone of the franchise, Hayward, had entertained notions of taking his talents elsewhere. Now that the Jazz have advanced to the second round for the first time since 2010, Amick believes Hayward is convinced that the Jazz can build a contender and wishes to stick around to help make that happen.
- Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey turned down other GM offers before accepting Utah’s, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reports. Prior to accepting the Jazz’ top job, Lindsey had been the assistant general manager for the Spurs. During Lindsey’s conversation with The Vertical on Sunday, he said that he accepted Utah’s offer because the vision of the Jazz’s ownership group reminded him of that of the Spurs.
- According to J. Michael of CSN Mid-Atlantic, George Washington University’s departing star Tyler Cavanaugh worked out for the Jazz over the weekend. As a senior, Cavanaugh led the Colonials with 18.3 PPG and 8.4 RPG, while shooting 40.9% from deep. The 6’9″ forward spent his first two college campaigns with Wake Forest before transferring to George Washington. Cavanaugh also had a pre-draft workout lined up with the Spurs, among other teams.