All U Can Heat
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Dec 22, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat president Pat Riley honors former center Shaquille O Neal Jersey number (32) retirement banner is raised into the rafters at the American Airlines Arena during a half time ceremony against the Los Angeles Lakers. O Neal has become the third Heat player to have his jersey retired with former Heat players Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat president Pat Riley honors former center Shaquille O Neal Jersey number (32) retirement banner is raised into the rafters at the American Airlines Arena during a half time ceremony against the Los Angeles Lakers. O Neal has become the third Heat player to have his jersey retired with former Heat players Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Pat Riley

Here’s one thing we know about Pat Riley: If he has a star, he tries to get more.

He did it when Dwyane Wade became a star player after just one season, trading for Shaquille O’Neal. When Shaq left, he tried again to find an appropriate sidekick (Shawn Marion, Michael Beasley) and, even though he failed on those attempts, he at least tried.

And when they didn’t work out, he cleared the deck for LeBron James and Chris Bosh and formed a Big Three that knocked the NBA off its axis.

Here’s another thing we know about Riley: He’ll do it again.

If Hayward signs with the Heat, does anyone really think he’ll stop there? If/when prestige players become available for a trade–Paul George, Jimmy Butler, CJ McCollum, etc.–Riley will be on the phone trying to get Hayward the help he needs to compete for a title.

The Celtics have yet to decide if they want to win now or develop assets. The Jazz, unfortunately for them, are caught in the whirlpool of the Western Conference. LeBron is 32, and the East could be wide open. It already was wide open for a team to get to the conference finals, and the Celtics got there seemingly by default.

Next: Free agent replacements for Dion Waiters

It’s not a guarantee that signing with the Heat will result in competing for a championship, but nothing short of signing with the Warriors or Cavaliers is.

The Heat at least have a head coach and front office that have been there, which is more than any of Hayward’s other suitors can say.

Home/Heat News