The Boston Celtics haven't been shy about their plans to pursue Gordon Hayward once free agency starts on Saturday, and it's close to paying off.
Hayward will only take meetings with Boston, the Miami Heat and the Utah Jazz, and hopes to be finished with those meetings by Monday, according to Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune.
The All-Star forward will meet with the Utah Jazz on Monday, two days after the moratorium begins, multiple sources told The Tribune on Wednesday.
According to reports, Hayward will meet with the Miami Heat on Saturday. The free agency period begins at 10 p.m. MDT Friday.
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.
Along with his connection to head coach Brad Stevens (he was his coach at Butler) and the allure of playing for one of the NBA's marquee franchises, the Celtics are receiving some help recruiting Hayward from Paul George.
Boston has been trying to trade for George and sign Gordon Hayward as a free agent, and George has been in contact with Hayward about the possibility.
Hayward averaged 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game this past season.
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