NBA free agency rumors: Miami Heat a serious contender for Gordon Hayward

It’s not just the Boston Celtics the Utah Jazz need to worry about with Gordon Hayward. The Miami Heat are emerging as a suitor.

2017 NBA free agency isn’t all that far away. Several star players will be hitting the market. One player that could be in line to switch teams is Utah Jazz small forward Gordon Hayward. Though he has been with the Jazz since being their first round pick in the 2010 NBA Draft out of Butler University, there is a chance that Hayward could leave Salt Lake City this summer.

While the connection to the Boston Celtics is obvious given that Hayward’s former college coach Brad Stevens is calling the shots for the Celtics, another team has emerged as a viable suitor for the All-Star small forward: the Miami Heat.

According to Marc Stein, “Volume is rising on the whispers that the team worrying Utah in Gordon Hayward’s free agency is Miami as much as Boston.” Would Hayward consider taking his talents to South Beach this summer?

Expect Miami to be able to land at least one star free agent this summer. Missing the Eastern Conference Playoffs in two of the last three seasons is not acceptable for Miami team president Pat Riley. He will put his rings on the table in his antiquated, but effective sales pitch to land a top-tier free agent.

Miami will have even more cap room to use now that Chris Bosh is coming off the books. Perhaps Miami can land two big-time free agents this summer to become a dark horse contender over night?

Playing in the Eastern Conference would help Hayward in his quest to reach the NBA Finals. It’s not like the Golden State Warriors are going to rapidly decay any time soon. Miami has a winning culture and a proven track record to succeed in free agency. Florida has no state income tax and the weather is gorgeous in Miami.

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While playing for Stevens in Boston could be massively appealing for Hayward, him joining the Heat this summer is certainly an intriguing possibility. More money and less pressure could await Hayward in South Beach if he chooses the Heat over the Celtics. Then again, it would be hard for him to leave an already great situation in Utah. Expect Hayward’s free agency to be a fascinating one.