NBA Free Agency 2017: Gordon Hayward to meet Miami Heat on Saturday

All-Star forward Gordon Hayward will be one of the most sought-after players when the NBA Free Agency 2017 window opens on Saturday. Hayward reportedly intends to reach a decision quickly.

According to The Salt Lake Tribune, Hayward will meet with the Miami Heat on Saturday and the Utah Jazz on Monday. He is also expected to meet with the Boston Celtics.

While the Jazz can offer Hayward a five-year max contract in excess of US$170 million (AU$221 million), the Celtics and Heat would be able to sign the star to a four-year max deal worth approximately US$130 million (AU$169 million). If Hayward had qualified for an All-NBA team, the Jazz would have been in prime position to retain their franchise player with a five-year deal that amounts to over US$200 million (AU$261 million).

According to Utah beat writer Tony Jones, Hayward has only three teams on his wish list. "Hayward has three teams on his wish list: the Jazz, Heat and Boston Celtics. League sources say Hayward wants to take his meetings, and make a decision in short order. The Heat and Celtics are expected to offer him a four-year max contract. The Jazz, as the incumbent team, are expected to offer Hayward a five-year max contract."

Gordon Hayward Free Agency: Utah prepared for worst case scenario

Earlier this week, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported that the Jazz are already preparing for life without Hayward. They moved up in the 2017 NBA Draft to select Louisville guard Donovan Mitchell, who could prove to be a long-term replacement for the departing Hayward.

"Utah is fighting to hold onto Hayward in free agency, but is exploring multiple scenarios to reshape the roster should the All-Star forward leave the franchise. The Jazz are working to upgrade the roster, including point guard, before July 1 when Hayward will start taking meetings with Boston and Miami in free agency, league sources said."

Several league insiders believe the Celtics are the favourites to land Hayward, who played two seasons of collegiate basketball in Butler under head coach Brad Stevens. Also, the Celtics are reportedly angling for a situation wherein they can land both Hayward and Paul George (via trade) to potentially dethrone the Cleveland Cavaliers as the best team in the Eastern Conference. If Hayward were to sign with the Celtics, the chances of Boston pulling off a Paul George trade would receive a significant upshot.

Gordon Hayward averaged a career-high tally of 21.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists in his seventh NBA season. He led the Jazz to 51 victories in the regular season and later took Utah to its first postseason win since 2010 courtesy a 4-3 series triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs. Stay tuned for the latest updates on NBA Free Agency 2017 and Gordon Hayward Free Agency.