The Miami Heat will meet with Gordon Hayward on Saturday, according to a report by the Salt Lake Tribune.
Hayward has been linked to Miami in previous reports, but this is the first sign of a scheduled meeting between the parties. With only a handful of options in the market, Hayward is a hot commodity.
The veteran has played his entire career in Utah and he will meet with the Jazz on Monday. The Boston Celtics have reported interest in Hayward as well, in what could be an intense battle for his services. Utah has the upper-hand, as it can offer a five-year max contract to Hayward. All other teams including Miami, will be limited to a four-year max offer.
Landing Hayward would be quite a move for Heat president Pat Riley, just a year after striking out on an attempt to bring Kevin Durant to Miami. While Durant will be technically on the market again, all signs thus far have pointed to his return to Golden State. Riley is known for targeting game-changing players and like Durant, Hayward has that ability in him.
In his seven seasons with the Jazz, Hayward has averaged 15.7 points per game, to go along with 4.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists. While those averages may not seem stellar, Hayward has eclipsed all of them in each of the past four seasons. The 27-year old has been at his best in recent years and has room to continue growing.
If Miami misses out on Hayward, it could make a run at Blake Griffin instead. The big-man will opt out of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers and become a free agent. Griffin is likely to have plenty of offers on the market as well and Boston has been linked to him as well.
The Heat could also elect to not sign any big free agent deals and instead re-sign some of their own talent. Dion Waiters and James Johnson are both awaiting new deals and are in-line for raises following their work in 2016-17. Signing both could handcuff Miami's ability to sign a big deal elsewhere, unless the team makes a trade.
