Gordon Hayward signing with the Miami Heat could narrow the gap in the East

After missing the postseason in two of the last three seasons, signing Gordon Hayward would make the Miami Heat a playoff team.

The Miami Heat are expected to make a run at Gordon Hayward but, up until now, any connection between Hayward and the Heat has been only speculation. Marc Stein’s sources are saying that Miami has emerged as a serious contender.

This is the first reported indication that Hayward has interest in the Heat.

Hayward is expected to opt out of his current contract and enter free agency, where he can command up to $31 million in a max salary next season. The Utah Jazz can offer him a five-year contract worth about $175 million, while other teams can offer a maximum of four years and about $130 million.

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(By not being voted to an All-NBA team this season, Hayward didn’t become eligible to sign the new designated player “super max” that would have allowed the Jazz to pay him $207 million over five years.)

The fifth year may not be enough to keep Hayward in Utah and, if he gives serious consideration to other teams, he could be on the move. The connection to the Celtics (and, in particular, his former head coach at Butler Brad Stevens) makes Boston a contender to sign Hayward this offseason. Meanwhile, if Pat Riley gets a meeting with him, anything can happen.

How it would work

The Heat will have around $37 million in cap room this summer–among the most in the league. That will be enough to absorb Hayward’s max contract, but it would likely mean parting ways with Dion Waiters or James Johnson, if not both.

Miami could open up more cap room by waiving Wayne Ellington’s non-guaranteed contract ($6.27 million) and either trading or using the stretch provision on Josh McRoberts, which could create an additional $4 million-$6 million. Doing that could give the Heat enough cap room to bring back Johnson.

A starting lineup including Goran Dragic, Gordon Hayward, James Johnson and Hassan Whiteside (and either Josh Richardson, Tyler Johnson, Rodney McGruder or Justise Winslow filling in the fifth spot) would give the Heat a very intriguing roster for next season that includes an All-NBA-type player and two All-Star level players. Not to mention whoever the team takes with the 14th pick in the NBA Draft.

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That team may not be as good as the Eastern Conference champion Cavaliers but, after these finals, it’s unclear what Cleveland will look like next season if they decide to retool. At the very least, it makes Miami a playoff team.