Gordon Hayward free agency has Danny Ainge, son at odds

Gordon Hayward free agency has Danny Ainge at odds with his son

April 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) controls the ball against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Gordon Hayward is one of the most sought-after free agents in the NBA this summer, so much so Danny Ainge and his son are fighting over him.

With the trade of Chris Paul earlier this week, the eyes of the NBA world are turning toward the top free agent names that are left out there. One of those is Gordon Hayward, who has spent his career with the Utah Jazz but could choose to leave and get a big payday with one of several other teams interested.

One of those teams is the Boston Celtics, who have been run for almost a decade and a half by former star player Danny Ainge. Ainge was, at one point, the most popular man in the state of Utah when he was a star basketball player for BYU.

While Ainge would love to get Hayward in the Northeast, one person is working hard to keep him with the Jazz — Ainge’s son, Tanner.

The younger Ainge, who is running for Congress in the state, posted a tweet early Thursday morning throwing shade at the entire state of Massachusetts in a not-so-subtle attempt to keep Gordon Hayward out west:

It might not work, but it’s an interesting move by Tanner Ainge to go after the pocketbook as a way of keeping the best player for the Jazz in a long while from heading to a new team.

Gordon Hayward is expected to take meetings with three teams during free agency — the Jazz, the Celtics and the Miami Heat. For the record, the state of Florida has no sales tax, so if we’re going to use that has an argument, the men from South Beach might pull out in front on this one.

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