Former teammate on Hayward: 'Doesn't really want to be the man'

The Boston Celtics jersey has been Photoshopped on his image, and the next chapter in Gordon Hayward's career is about to begin.

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, despite all reports of Hayward "agonizing" over his decision to part ways with the Utah Jazz, the writing was very much all over the wall prior to his official announcement.

Brooklyn Nets forward and former Jazz player Trevor Booker told the Tribune the weight of having the Utah franchise on his shoulders was something Hayward never wanted.

"Gordon's a guy who doesn't really want to be the man,” Booker said. "… I'm not sure he wanted a franchise on his shoulders. Gordon's a great player, and one of the best players in the league. But I wasn't really surprised at his choice. I heard the rumors.”

As the Tribune outlines, the Jazz spent most of the past year trying to orchestrate the correct moves that would keep Hayward in Utah, which most recently prompted them to acquire point guard and expert playmaker Ricky Rubio from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for a first-round draft pick.

While the Jazz worked on creating a strong core for Hayward, his inclinations to leave have been apparent to others since before this year's draft. Sources told the Tribune that Hayward made it clear to teammate and friend George Hill in a phone call that returning to Utah "was nowhere close to guaranteed."