NBA Rumors: Gordon Hayward Signing With Miami Heat Is A Possibility

The Utah Jazz are a team on the rise in the Western Conference. The franchise has struggled since the days of the Deron Williams-Carlos Boozers due in Salt Lake City, but have become resurgent over the past few years with Gordon Hayward leading the way.

Utah has already clinched a playoff spot in the West sitting behind the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Golden State Warriors in the fourth seed. The Jazz are one game ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers setting up a potential first-round matchup with Chris Paul and company.

Although the Jazz has been impressive this season, the team is still in danger of losing their face of the franchise in Hayward. The Butler product can and most likely will opt out of his final year of his contract to secure a long-term deal. If that deal with Utah can’t get done, Hayward could be headed for South Beach, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News:

There are already whispers that if Utah can’t re-sign Gordon Hayward he could end up in Miami.

Along with the Miami Heat being an option for Hayward this summer, there could be plenty of other teams showing interest in the veteran forward’s services. Superstar Paul George of the Indiana Pacers has been rumored to want to play alongside the Jazz star, and Larry Bird could try to make that happen in an effort to keep George happy and willing to sign an extension.

Needless to say, despite the Jazz rising up the standings in the West every season with Hayward leading the charge, Utah could lose their star and the distinction as one of the up-and-coming teams in the NBA.

Heat team president Pat Riley will almost certainly be aggressive this season and may already have his sights set on bringing in Hayward to join Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside.