As if we needed more proof that Joe Ingles is a class act.
The Utah Jazz officially announced on Tuesday that they had re-signed the combo wing to a four-year, $52 million deal, and while speaking with reporters, he was naturally asked about Gordon Hayward’s decision to bolt for the Boston Celtics. His response to the entire situation was predictably epic, per Andy Blarsen of KSL.com:
Ingles on Hayward: "It sucks, but we're moving on. We're always going to be mates. I'll take him to Cheesecake Factory and keep him happy."
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) July 25, 2017
Look, this is really nice and level-headed of Ingles. To some extent, he might even owe Hayward for his $52 million pact. The Jazz knew he would be an important selling point to their All-Star forward, so they acted quickly, rewarding him handsomely for his past two seasons of work. Maybe he doesn’t get that lucrative of a deal if the Jazz don’t think it’ll exponentially improve their chances of keeping Hayward.
But still: Who the bleep cares?
Ingles has every right to be friends with Hawyard, and if going to the Cheesecake Factory is their thing, cool. But the Australian Swiss army knife shouldn’t have to take Hayward anywhere. He’s earning $11.5 million next season to Hayward’s $29.7 million. The newest member of the Celtics should be paying for the Uber to get to the Cheesecake Factory; any expenses the two incur at the Cheesecake Factory; the after-dinner drinks they go out for afterward; and the Uber ride back to wherever they came from.
This is important stuff, people. So if you see Ingles and Hayward out and about at a Cheesecake Factory at any point over the next couple years, definitely drop by their table and make sure it’s Hayward who’s picking up the tab.
