Rudy Gobert Says He 'Didn't Like' How Gordon Hayward Handled Exit from Jazz

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert told ESPN.com's Tim MacMahon on Tuesday he "didn't like" the way in which Gordon Hayward left the team. 

"You cannot be mad at somebody for wanting to play for another team," Gobert said. "It's just the way he handled it, that's the thing I didn't like. I'm happy for him at the same time. I hope he's going to be happy over there and get what he's looking for."

Hayward's decision to join the Boston Celtics was made hectic by a series of reports and denials July 4.

After ESPN.com's Chris Haynes reported Hayward planned to sign with the Celtics, agent Mark Bartelstein denied his client had made a decision.

Hours later, though, Hayward made his commitment public in a first-person essay for the Players' Tribune.

"To all his teammates, all the guys that he competed with for years, guys that sacrificed for him and for the team, not necessarily tell us, but make sure as a team we can keep going forward if he leaves," Gobert said, per MacMahon. "I think that wasn't the best way to do it, but I'm over it now. I'm just focused on the team."

With Hayward Boston-bound, Gobert and the Jazz will focus on holding steady in a suddenly crowded Northwest Division. The Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves made improvements by adding Paul George, Paul Millsap and Jimmy Butler, respectively.

It won't be easy, but with Gobert, Ricky Rubio, Joe Ingles, Rodney Hood and promising rookie Donovan Mitchell in tow, the Jazz have the personnel necessary to remain competitive and jockey for a playoff spot a year after they reached 50 wins for the first time since the 2009-10 season.