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6 free agents the Miami Heat can replace Dion Waiters with

By Frank Urbina

Mar 8, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard J.J. Redick (4) drives in the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard J.J. Redick (4) drives in the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) guards Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) guards Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Gordon Hawyward

Aside from Blake Griffin, Gordon Hayward is probably Riley’s biggest target this summer. Though he’s listed as a small forward, he plays a ton of minutes at shooting guard for the Utah Jazz.

The former Butler Bulldog is currently having the best season of his career.

21.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 threes per game are Hayward’s numbers on the year. His 9.5 win shares is 15th best in the NBA, and his 0.383 free-throw rate is a higher clip than Kevin Durant’s.

Essentially, Hayward has blossomed into an elite player in this, his sixth year out of college. There’s speculation he may be interested in joining the Boston Celtics in free agency, due to the obvious Brad Stevens connection (Stevens was his coach at Butler).

But if Hayward were to set up meetings with various teams, like Durant did, maybe Riley can talk him into doing the unthinkable and signing with the Heat.

I wouldn’t bet on it, but anything is possible with Riley.

(We don’t even have to get into how he would fit with Miami; he’s a top-20 player — it would work even if I became the head coach.)

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