Beale Street Bears
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Speculating how 2017 free agents would fit in Memphis

By Mike Parrott

Nov 7, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) dribbles the ball as Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes (22) defends during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 89-79. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) dribbles the ball as Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes (22) defends during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 89-79. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Gordon Hayward

Apr 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert (17) and forward Larry Nance Jr. (7) and guard Marcelo Huertas (9) in the third quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert (17) and forward Larry Nance Jr. (7) and guard Marcelo Huertas (9) in the third quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Yes the Grizzlies have just picked up a great small forward in Parsons. This signing would be on the premise that Memphis became a small-ball team and moved Parsons over to the 4.

Hayward has always been underrated, even though he put up close to a 20-5-5 last season (19.7, 5.0, 3.7 to be exact), he always flies under the radar in the Salt Lake. But his advanced stats and the old-fashioned eye-test show he’s an elite player that could be the missing piece on a contending team. 

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Hayward, for his career, has a .556 TS% and a 16.9 PER. How he’d fit into Memphis would evolve the team from a post-oriented, grinding team, to a small-ball, 3-ball team. A team of Conley, a shooter at the 2, Hayward, Parsons and Gasol could create nightmares for other teams. With a mix of ball-handling and shooting with the necessary defense to contend.

Hayward doesn’t seem the right option from a casual viewer, but he brings a lot if Memphis want to change into a small-ball team.

Next: Can they do it?

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