For a long time now, people have assumed that Gordon Hayward would decline his player option for the 2017-18 season and become a free agent. According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the 27-year-old All-Star forward has made it official, informing the Jazz that he will enter free agency on July 1.
League sources: Gordon Hayward just officially notified Utah he's declining his 2017-18 player option to become an unrestricted free agent
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 29, 2017
Hayward is going to be one of the most sought after free agents of 2017, with both Boston and Miami reportedly expected to make big pushes to sign him. Stein reports that Hayward will first meet with the Heat and Celtics, and then give the Jazz the last opportunity before he makes his decision.
Reported here during the NBA Finals that the threat posed by Miami concerns Utah as much as Boston ... but the Celts have ramped it up since
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 29, 2017
League sources confirm Miami/Boston/Utah is indeed the order on visits Hayward has scheduled once free agency starts Saturday at 12:01 AM ET
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 29, 2017
If Hayward does indeed jump ship to Miami or Boston, it could potentially change the landscape of the Eastern Conference and pose a direct threat to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have met little resistance from the East en route to three straight NBA Finals appearances.
Hayward's departure would be a huge blow for the Jazz, who won a playoff series this year for the first time since 2010.
