NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 players that signed with the wrong team

1. Gordon Hayward to the Boston Celtics

“Hayward Watch” was a legitimate thing for a couple days during a fairly slow Fourth of July week, as he weighed staying with the Utah Jazz and took meetings with the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics. The Celtics ultimately won out, with a four-year, $128 million deal and the promise of a reunion with college coach Brad Stevens.

Hayward apparently wrote three separate Player’s Tribune posts declaring his intentions, one for staying with the Jazz, one for going to the Heat and one for going to the Celtics. That shows just how much he agonized over the decision, and it’s worth wondering if he’ll be able to handle the pressure of being “the man” in Boston. Former teammate Trevor Booker echoed that sentiment recently.

"“Gordon’s a guy who doesn’t really want to be the man,” Booker said. “… I’m not sure he wanted a franchise on his shoulders. Gordon’s a great player, and one of the best players in the league. But I wasn’t really surprised at his choice. I heard the rumors.”"

Hayward rose to stardom in the obscurity of Utah, and they were fairly well-positioned to keep him. Add in the Celtics having to let go of some roster depth to make room for his contract, and if Hayward doesn’t become something close to “the next Larry Bird” he could buckle under those expectations and pressure from local fans and media.

Next: Post-NBA free agency power rankings

Chasing “unfinished business” with Stevens is flawed reasoning for picking a free agent destination. He has a couple other good players around him in Boston, at least for now, to alleviate whatever pressure comes. But a lot eyes will be on Hayward when it matters most, and there are no guarantees when it comes time to take on the LeBron James-led Cavaliers in the playoffs. At that point, the 20 (points), five (rebounds) and five (assists) every night during the regular season won’t matter very much.