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Here are 4 reasons Gordon Hayward should sign with the Heat

By Wes Goldberg

Dec 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) dribbles the ball as Miami Heat guard Rodney McGruder (17) defends during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Miami won 111-110. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) dribbles the ball as Miami Heat guard Rodney McGruder (17) defends during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Miami won 111-110. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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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
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 /

1. Money isn’t an issue

With Hayward getting left off the All-NBA team, the Jazz won’t have the chance to re-sign him to a five-year, $207 million designated player veteran extension that was allowed in the new collective bargaining agreement. By not being able to sign Hayward to the “super max,” the Jazz won’t have as much of an advantage over other teams to re-sign him when he becomes a free agent this summer.

Utah will still be able to offer Hayward more money than other teams, being able to offer a fifth year valued at $40 million for a total of about $175 million over five seasons. The difference comes out to about $36 million that the Jazz can no longer offer Hayward over the course of the contract. That $36 million would have hard to turn down, but with less money, money could play less of a factor.

Other teams will only be able to offer Hayward a max contract worth $130 million over four seasons. In other words, when it comes to Hayward’s annual earning average, the playing field is even.

As you can see from the annual averages, signing with Miami would put more money (thanks to the lack of state income tax) in Hayward’s pocket than signing with Boston, and would cost him less than million dollars to leave the Jazz.

The reason Utah can offer more money is because they can offer higher annual raises. However, if Hayward signs a four-year deal with a player option for the fourth season, he could more than make that money up. A non-Jazz team that signs Hayward this summer will acquire his Bird Rights after three years. Hayward can opt out then, when the salary cap is even greater, and re-sign a more lucrative deal with higher annual raises.

By missing out on the All-NBA team, Hayward loses money, but gains options.

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