NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason targets for the Utah Jazz

Mar 31, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (left) and center Rudy Gobert (27) wait to enter the game during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 95-88. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay will execute player option and become free agent. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Rudy Gay, SF, Sacramento Kings

The Utah Jazz have to come up with a back-up plan in case Gordon Hayward bolts Salt Lake City for an attractive destination. There’s a strong possibility Hayward ends up in Boston — you’d know if you follow his wife on Instagram.

There aren’t many scoring wings in the free-agent market — sorry, Kevin Durant ain’t coming to Salt Lake City — but Rudy Gay is a viable short-term option. At 30 years old, Gay scored 18.7 points and grabbed 6.3 boards every night for a pathetic Sacramento Kings’ team.

He only played in 30 games this past season, after suffering a ruptured left Achilles tendon. That injury could definitely hamper his market, but the Jazz need a starting small forward. Joe Johnson would be the only other small forward on the team and he’s fit in nicely in his role off the bench.

Gay has bounced around from team to team throughout his NBA career, but he could have a home for the rest of his career in Utah — if Hayward were to skip out of town during free agency.

Although he’s not a great defensive player, Gay could be a contributor on the offensive end and be the scorer that Hayward was for the Jazz. It’s also dependent on his recovery from the brutal injury, but at full strength, he’s a functional starter in the NBA.

The Kings won’t have many options if Hayward left, so Lindsey better have Gay waiting on line 2 in case they need to use their backup plan.

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