I don't understand the infatuation with Hayward. He's not better than Crowder. Why are we obsessed with filling a spot that we aready have a top 10 player in?
In terms of Real Plus Minus top 10 small forwards are currently:
1. Lebron James
2. Jimmy Butler
3. Kevin Durant
4. Kawhi Leonard
5. Giannis
6. Otto Porter Jr.
7. Jae Crowder
8. Gordon Hayward
9. Trevor Ariza
10. Robert Covington
A lot of people will argue that Paul George should be on this list, but he's not playing defense at an above average level this year and came in 12th in real plus minus among small forwards.
It has to do with the fact that Hayward is probably our "most realistic star FA Target" unless you are confident Blake Griffin is leaving LAC.
Now Hayward is not guaranteed to leave Utah either but there's a better chance he leaves than Griffin.
I agree he's not a huge upgrade over Crowder but he can score a lot a game and we need a #2 scorer as well.
My dream target is Griffin but Plan B is Hayward.
Now if they don't make a max signing then they won't be able to in future years as well because this is the last year with Max cap space before rookie deals and extensions all kick in.
If you can't sign Griffin or Hayward, you probably can go after a second tier star like Millsap or Ibaka or even Porter, or just re-sign all the guys with extensions/exception signings (KO, Amir, etc.) and just add Fultz/Jackson and Zizic.