Top 5 Player Comps For Utah Jazz Star Gordon Hayward

By Ryan Aston

Top 5 Player Comps For Gordon Hayward

Gordon Hayward Utah Jazz Luol Deng Miami Heat Player Comparison — With Gordon Hayward firmly establishing himself as the floor leader and go-to player for the Utah Jazz and one of the best wing players in the NBA, fans can't help but feel that big things are in the forward's future. Here are five players whose careers could ultimately end up as comparisons for Hayward.

5. Richard Jefferson

Richard Jefferson New Jersey Nets Utah Jazz G-Time Comp - Copy

5. Richard Jefferson

Richard Jefferson New Jersey Nets Utah Jazz G-Time Comp — Richard Jefferson was an athletic wonder and a key piece of some quality Nets teams in the early 2000s. He eventually became a bona fide 20-point scorer in the league. Hayward is on the verge of achieving that status now, but until that time comes, his feel for the game and dedication to developing his outside shot are reminiscent of a younger Jefferson.

4. Rudy Gay

Rudy Gay Sacramento Kings DeMarcus Cousins Gordon Hayward Player Comp - Copy

4. Rudy Gay

Rudy Gay Sacramento Kings DeMarcus Cousins Gordon Hayward Player Comp — After adding 10-plus pounds of muscle this past offseason, Hayward is holding his own against larger players and attacking the rim with greater ferocity than ever before. After beginning his career as more of a lanky player, his body is beginning to look a lot like Rudy Gay's. Gay is one of the strongest players in the league at his position, and Hayward is well on his way to following in his footsteps.

3. Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce Washington Wizards Carmelo Anthony NY Knicks - Copy

3. Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce Washington Wizards Carmelo Anthony NY Knicks — The smoothness and versatile nature of Hayward's game reminds many of Paul Pierce. His ability to shoot, make plays for his teammates, clog the passing lanes and play multiple positions on the floor also lends to the Pierce comparison. Hayward is not yet the same kind of scorer that Pierce has been, but he has grown by leaps and bounds in that department in 2014-15.

2. Luol Deng

Luol Deng LeBron James Heat Cavs King James Returns Christmas - Copy

2. Luol Deng

Luol Deng LeBron James Heat Cavs King James Returns Christmas — Deng's size and scoring ability, coupled with his prowess on the defensive end make him an interesting comparison for Gordon Hayward. Whether or not he can match Deng's two All-Star appearances is yet to be determined, but he certainly seems to be knocking on the door this season.

1. Scottie Pippen

Scottie Pippen Shooting Stars Chicago Bulls

1. Scottie Pippen

Scottie Pippen Shooting Stars Chicago Bulls - Copy — The ultimate best-case scenario for Gordon Hayward is another jack-of-all trades, Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen. It will be tough for Hayward to match Pippen's athleticism (although he's no slouch in that department), but if Hayward shared the floor with a top-10 talent on a playoff squad, he could be the ultimate No. 2 in the NBA. For now, he's the do-everything guy for the rebuilding Jazz.

Ryan Aston covers the Utah Jazz for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @MrMaryKateOlsen or add him to your network on Google.

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