NBA free agent rumors: Celtics contact Gordon Hayward

Apr 6, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Utah Jazz guard Gordon Hayward (20) looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Jazz 130-102. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Utah Jazz guard Gordon Hayward (20) looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Jazz 130-102. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Utah Jazz appear determined to retain restricted free agent Gordon Hayward, but a multitude of fellow NBA teams are looking to sign the two-way forward, one of which presumably includes the Boston Celtics. That’s the word from Utah Jazz beat writer Jody Genessy who says the Celtics have contacted Hayward.

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The presumed Boston Celtics interest in Gordon Hayward isn’t exactly new as they’ve been rumored to have had interest for quite some time, though rumors of such began to re-surface earlier this week as the NBA’s free agent period was set to open.

As things stand currently, the Celtics do have cap space to make Hayward an offer and enough to make it so the Utah Jazz at least have to question if matching an offer sheet is worth it. They’ve repeatedly suggested they have every intention to do so, but at what point does Hayward become too expensive for what he does? That’s a decision the Utah Jazz front office is going to need to make as it’s all but inevitable that Hayward will receive an offer sheet at some point, be it from the Celtics or another interested team. That of course is assuming he and the Jazz don’t come to an agreement on their own contract.

It’s not known if the Celtics plan to present Gordon Hayward with an offer sheet at this time as they’ve only contacted him, not presented him with any type of official offer.

The Jazz and other NBA franchises are said to be contacting Hayward in the very near future.