NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason targets for the Miami Heat

Apr 12, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (center) greets Heat center Hassan Whiteside (left) and Heat guard Wayne Ellington (right) during a timeout in the second half against the Washington Wizards at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 110-102. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

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1. Gordon Hayward

Widely considered to be the crown jewel of this free agency class, Gordon Hayward will have no shortage of suitors once the time comes. Coming off his first All-Star appearance, Hayward had a career year for the Utah Jazz and helped lead them to their first playoff series win since the 2009-10 season. He has steadily improved his scoring average each season he has been in the league, while his contributions in the rebounding, assists, and steals departments have remained steady.

Hayward can absolutely take over games on the offensive end, and has proven that he can be a great team leader. He also has great size at the forward position standing at 6-foot-8, and can cause mismatches for smaller or slower defenders. Hayward also averaged a career high in 3-pointers last season by hitting 149 on a shade under 40 percent from there.

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Hayward’s game would resonate well with the Heat, as his ability to space the floor and knock down trays would fit perfectly with speedy guard Goran Dragic running the floor. Miami also has enough financial flexibility to surround Hayward with a solid cast, to help make a deep playoff run which Hayward hasn’t yet experienced during his career. Miami will surely be on the long list of Hayward’s suitors, in the hopes of landing his services and instantly making him their franchise player.

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