Gordon Hayward likely to make signing decision Tuesday
Another NBA free agency season and another July 4 declaration it is.
Nearly a year after Kevin Durant made his choice to sign with the Golden State Warriors on Independence Day, a person with knowledge of Gordon Hayward’s situation told Paste BN Sports that the free agent forward is likely to make his choice to sign with his former Utah Jazz squad, the Miami Heat, or the Boston Celtics on Tuesday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of negotiations.
The 27-year-old All-Star small forward met with the Heat in Miami on Saturday, the Celtics in Boston on Sunday and — according to the Deseret News — the Jazz in San Diego on Monday, where Hayward and his wife Robyn have an offseason home.
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According to a second person with knowledge of the Monday meeting, the Jazz made a very strong impression and Hayward remained torn about his decision. It appeared that Hayward would make his choice on Monday for much of the afternoon, but he later opted to sleep on it.
Hayward, who was drafted 10th overall out of Butler in 2010 after playing for two seasons under Celtics coach Brad Stevens there, posted career highs in points (21.9 points per game) and rebounds (5.4 rebounds) last season as the Jazz reached the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
If he chooses the Celtics, he’ll join the Isaiah Thomas-led team that earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference last season before falling to LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers in five games in the conference finals. The Heat, with master recruiter Pat Riley leading the way, barely missed the playoffs after recovering from an 11-30 start to finish 41-41.
Follow Sam Amick on Twitter @sam_amick.