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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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Feb 13, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra watches the game during the first half against the Orlando Magic at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra watches the game during the first half against the Orlando Magic at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Coaching

The connection between Hayward and his college coach Brad Stevens is made often. It’s both obvious and (somewhat) contrived. We don’t know that Hayward wants to play for Stevens again. I’m not discounting Stevens as a factor for Hayward, I’m only saying it’s not the only factor.

When it comes to coaching, few do it as well as Erik Spoelstra, a two-time champion as a head coach and finalist for the NBA’s Coach of the Year award.

If Hayward was paying any attention to the Heat this season, he saw a coaching staff oversee a turnaround of a team that went 30-11 in the second half of the season after starting the year 11-30. If Spoelstra can turn Dion Waiters into a Warrior killer and James Johnson into a shredded point-forward, imagine what he can do with Hayward.

Hayward already spent two seasons under Stevens at Butler, you have to wonder how much more he can get out of being coached by him again. If Hayward wants to reach greater heights (like make the All-NBA team) it could take something new entirely.

Rather than re-up with Quin Snyder or reunite with Stevens, Hayward should seek the tutelage of Spo.

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