In today’s news, two lottery picks from the draft class of 2010 await updates on potential contract extensions with their current teams.
Hayward expecting big payday
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Utah Jazz’s Gordon Hayward is in line for a big payday by the October 31st contract extension deadline.
Heard first strong rumbles this weekend that Gordon Hayward, like Derrick Favors, will indeed get extension from Jazz before Oct. 31 buzzer
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) October 21, 2013
Jazz won’t go any farther publicly than acknowledging talks ongoing but I’m told deal — if completed — will be richer than Favors’ deal
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) October 21, 2013
Hayward has tons of fans in front offices around the league. Will draw tons of interest next July if he makes it to restricted free agency
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) October 21, 2013
The 23-year-old took major steps forward in his development last season. In under 30 minutes, Hayward averaged 14.1 points, 3.0 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game. Perhaps more tellingly, his efficiency with the ball in his hands increased considerably last season. Despite having a career high usage rate 0f 21% of Utah’s possessions, Hayward averaged a career low 9.7 turnovers per 100 possessions. For a dynamic athlete who plays a point forward role, that type of ball control is almost unheard of.
With word that the deal will exceed Derrick Favors’ 4-year, $49 million deal from last week, the Jazz will now have over $100 million dollars committed to two of the brightest rising stars in the NBA.
RELATED: FAVORS WORTH THE EXTENSION
With Enes Kanter, Trey Burke, and Alec Burks also on the roster, it’s safe to say the Jazz have the building blocks in place for a nice future down the road.
Pistons likely to let Monroe test restricted free agency
Marc Stein also reports that the Detroit Pistons will likely let Greg Monroe test restricted free agency next summer. 
Monroe, the seventh overall pick in 2010, has shown flashes of brilliance with the Pistons. Still, with the team committing big money to Josh Smith over the summer and saving their biggest contract extension for Andre Drummond, Monroe appears to be the odd man out in Detroit.
RELATED: PISTONS SEASON PREVIEW
The former Georgetown Hoya averaged a career high 16 points and nearly matched his career high with 9.6 rebounds last season. Still, his defensive intensity is questionable and his offensive game is largely restricted to the interior (where Smith and Drummond thrive as well). As a result, the Pistons may deem the 23-year-old expendable at some point during the season.
Don’t be surprised to see Monroe’s name come up in trade talks. At 6’11” and 250 pounds, Monroe has both the size and skills to be a true impact center for plenty of teams in the NBA. Whether it be a young team looking to acquire a corner stone for the future or a veteran team looking to add a talented piece for a playoff run, it appears likely that Detroit will get some nice offers.
If Dallas struggles to begin the season, don’t be surprised to see them pursue Monroe heavily. After losing out on Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum, and Greg Oden over the summer, Mark Cuban might find nice consolation in Monroe.
