Gordon Hayward: 5 potential landing spots in free agency

April 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) during a stoppage in play against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

As Utah Jazz star Gordon Hayward heads toward his 2017 NBA free agency, here are his top five potential landing spots.

Following a four-game sweep at the hands of the Golden State Warriors in the 2017 Western Conference semifinals, the Utah Jazz will turn their attention to a pivotal offseason for their current core.

George Hill and Shelvin Mack both come off the books this summer and Boris Diaw and Raul Neto's contracts for next season are non-guaranteed, but the team's top priority will be dealing with Gordon Hayward's unrestricted free agency once he declines his $16.8 million player option.

Hayward is one of the biggest names hitting free agency this summer, and coming off a career year that resulted in his first All-Star appearance, he'll have plenty of suitors around the league.

In his seventh NBA season, the 27-year-old wing averaged a career-high 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 39.8 percent from three-point range.

He served as an excellent defender for the league's third-ranked defense, and also proved himself as a go-to offensive option in the playoffs, stepping up his numbers to 24.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game on .441/.412/.934 shooting splits in 11 playoff games.

The Jazz will make re-signing Hayward to a five-year max deal their first order of business in free agency, but what are the best potential landing spots for the NBA's real life Captain America? Here are Hayward's top five free agency destinations — including a few honorable mentions who would have to clear out considerable cap space via trade to pursue this upgrade on the wing.

Honorable Mentions:  Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers

Jan 24, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) dribbles the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) defends in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

5. Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets were the furthest away from a playoff spot out of any team on this list, but armed with cap space and a bevy of young talent on the rise, they shouldn't be completely dismissed as they try to establish the Mile High City as a free agency destination.

Though Denver's most likely path to acquiring a star is through the trade market, it also has the cap space to offer Hayward a max four-year deal worth nearly $133 million right off the bat. Danilo Gallinari has a $16 million player option for the 2017-18 season, so even if he opts in for another year, the Nuggets may consider trading him to seek an upgrade on the wing.

Wilson Chandler had a (mostly) good season fluctuating between the bench and starting lineup, but he's 29 and will most likely opt out of his $12.8 player option for the 2018-19 season. A new small forward will be needed sooner or later for this team to take the next step.

However, as much as the Nuggets are a fun, young team on the rise with guys like Nikola Jokic, Gary Harris and Jamal Murray, it's hard to see why Hayward would leave a 51-team to join another Western Conference squad that didn't even make the playoffs. Re-signing with Utah would make more sense in just about every way.

Mar 20, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) gets a hug after the game from Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeated Utah 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

4. Indiana Pacers

Seems a bit odd to include an underwhelming squad like the Indiana Pacers among the top suitors, especially since Gordon Hayward leaving the Jazz would almost have to be for a legitimate contender.

However, there are a few reasons this might actually make some sense. Aside from having the kind of cap space to offer him a max deal, the Pacers would also provide an easier path to the Finals through the East.

Pairing Hayward and Paul George would make for a dynamic wing tandem, even if re-signing Jeff Teague would then become a challenge. PG-13 would like to play with Hayward, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe, and this move would return the Jazz star to Indianapolis, near his hometown of Brownsburg, Indiana.

This kind of move would bring in star power, perhaps giving George more reason to re-up with the Pacers for the long haul rather than leaving in free agency. Positional overlap aside though, there are simply better options for Hayward than an Indiana homecoming, even with that Eastern Conference advantage looming large.

Dec 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) defends against Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Miami won 111-110. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

3. Miami Heat

The Miami Heat actually finished two spots below the Pacers on the Eastern Conference ladder, but according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, there are already whispers that Hayward could end up in South Beach if he doesn't re-sign with Utah.

More from Hoops Habit

Whether this is just mere speculation or legitimate rumblings remains to be seen, but armed with a plethora of cap space, the Heat can never be ruled out of a free agency conversation.

Don't forget, Miami was one of the few teams included in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes last summer, and thanks to Pat Riley, a championship culture, terrific weather, the beach, great nightlife and zero state income tax, the Heat organization will always appeal to free agents.

It's hard to see Gordon Hayward as someone who would be enamored with that kind of lifestyle, and the Heat may simply set their sights on re-signing their own pending free agents like Dion Waiters and James Johnson following career years.

But a potential Big Three of Hayward, Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside is intriguing, especially after Erick Spoelstra earned the franchise plenty of positive vibes and good will with free agents following the team's 30-11 finish to the season.

Apr 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) celebrates his game-winning shot with teammates forward Joe Ingles (2) and forward Gordon Hayward (20) in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Johnson's buzzer-beater downed the Clippers 97-95. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

2. Utah Jazz

One thing stood out as the clock wound down in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals in Salt Lake City: As great a season as the Utah Jazz had in 2016-17 despite their injury woes, and as young as this core still is, the Golden State Warriors aren't going anywhere.

The path through the West isn't going to get easier, even if internal development and improved health helps the Jazz catch up to the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets near the top of the Western landscape. Re-signing with Utah means accepting the fate of life in a Warriors-ruled conference and embracing that uphill battle for the prime of Hayward's career.

Maybe we're reading too much into this, but when Jazz fans chanted "GOR-DON HAY-WARD!" at the end of Game 4, being greeted with a peace sign was less than encouraging.

There are plenty of reasons to stay with the team he's spent his entire seven-year NBA career with. He just earned his first All-Star appearance there, his team won a playoff series, Rudy Gobert is on the rise, and he can earn an extra $46 million compared to signing with another team, since Utah can offer a five-year, $179 million deal even if he falls short of an All-NBA selection.

Hayward is the face of the Jazz franchise, his rise to stardom came in Utah, those fans are extremely loyal and he can make the most money by staying put.

But even though no one would be surprised to see him re-up with the Jazz for the long haul, there's one team that could be a serious threat as a free agency destination thanks to the Eastern Conference advantage and its current status as a contender.

Jan 3, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Utah Jazz guard / forward Gordon Hayward (20) takes a shot while guarded by Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) and forward Jae Crowder (99) during the third quarter at TD Garden. The Boston Celtics won 115-104. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

1. Boston Celtics

No one would blame Gordon Hayward for taking the largest payday possible and sticking with a franchise that's been good to him, but if he's looking for the most favorable potential path to a Finals appearance, it lies to the East.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have no need or space for Hayward, the Washington Wizards will focus on retaining restricted free agent Otto Porter Jr. and the Toronto Raptors may proceed with a full roster blow-up this summer. That leaves us with the Boston Celtics among the top half of the East.

Though they only won 53 games this season, the Celtics earned the No. 1 seed in the East. We should point out those 53 wins were only two more than Utah had this year, but that's kind of the point: If Hayward played in the East, his team's 51 wins may have been enough for the 2-seed.

LeBron James still rules the East with an iron fist, but if the ultimate goal is winning a title, would you rather wait out the King's eventual decline at age 32 out East, or continuously face a Warriors team that's about to re-sign Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant this summer and rule the West for the next half-decade?

Despite still having Jae Crowder on the roster, The Vertical has already reported the Celtics will go hard after Hayward in free agency. This kind of power move would provide an upgrade on the wing, perimeter shooting (39.8 percent from downtown) and another scorer to ease the pressure on Isaiah Thomas, who currently has to carry the offense.

With names like Blake Griffin and Gordon Hayward floating around, Boston may prefer to simply sign a star free agent, rather than splurge its plethora of assets — including the potential No. 1 pick in this year's draft — on a blockbuster trade.

Unless the Celtics planned on playing small with Hayward and Crowder at the 3 and 4, they'd still need a power forward in free agency. Trading Crowder's team-friendly deal might become a necessity in that scenario.

But a core of Thomas, Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley, Hayward, Al Horford, Jaylen Brown, Kelly Olynyk, Terry Rozier and a top-three pick in this year's draft makes the Celtics Eastern contenders in the here and now, while also giving them plenty of room for future growth.

That's the kind of core that would also attract talent to fill the gap at the 4 down the road, or Danny Ainge could finally put those assets to use and trade for a quality power forward.

The Celtics will have plenty of cap space with Amir Johnson, Jonas Jerebko and possibly Tyler Zeller's deals coming off the books, meaning a reunion between Gordon Hayward and his former Butler coach, Brad Stevens, could very easily be in the works.

Maybe the Celtics would prefer to sign Blake Griffin to address an actual position of need, or maybe they'd rather trade for Jimmy Butler or Paul George on draft night. But with Ainge's penchant for retaining those assets, we certainly can't rule this free agency target out.

The Utah Jazz may have the inside track to re-signing Gordon Hayward this summer, but the Boston Celtics are their greatest threat for a variety of reasons.