Report: Several Heat players show up for Gordon Hayward pitch meeting

Hassan Whiteside, Udonis Haslem were among those present

The Miami Heat made their pitch to free agent forward Gordon Hayward on Saturday, complete with a large poster with his photo outside American Airlines Arena.

There to help persuade Hayward were several players, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

The Heat made a strong presentation to free agent Gordon Hayward on Saturday and emerged believing it went very well.

Hayward was greeted by five Heat players - Hassan Whiteside, Udonis Haslem, Josh Richardson, Tyler Johnson and free agent James Johnson. He also met with president Pat Riley, coach Erik Spoelstra, Alonzo Mourning and several other coaches and executives.

During the meeting, which lasted several hours, the players reportedly talked about South Florida positives like favorable weather and the lack of a state income tax, but also discussed the winning culture that Spoelstra and Riley bring to the franchise.

The Heat are expected to wait on Hayward before making other free agent decisions, namely how much to offer James Johnson and Dion Waiters. Hayward is scheduled to meet with the Celtics and Jazz before making his final decision.

According to the Boston Herald, the Celtics' meeting with Hayward on Sunday will include coach Brad Stevens, general manager Danny Ainge, ownership, along with players Isiah Thomas and Al Horford.