As things hit up around the NBA with free agency set to get going, most experts figure that Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward will be the first domino to drop.
Despite being able to offer the All-Star more than any other team, Utah is concerned that it will lose the franchise cornerstone piece in free agency this weekend.
With meetings already set up in Miami and Boston, Hayward is testing the market. Though, as ESPN’s Zach Lowe reports, a fourth team could potentially get involved in the sweepstakes.
“It wouldn’t shock me if a secret fourth team scheduled a last-minute meeting with him (Hayward), either,” Lowe reported.
Teams such as the San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers have both the need and financial ability to add someone of Hayward’s ilk. But that’s primarily conjecture on our part.
Hayward, 27, is set to cash in on a max deal after improving each year he’s been in the NBA. This past season saw him average a career-best 21.9 points to go with 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
It will surely be interesting to see how this initial domino falls in free agency over the weekend.