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Gordon Hayward: 5 potential landing spots in free agency

By Gerald Bourguet

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 /
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Gordon Hayward
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 /

As Utah Jazz star Gordon Hayward heads toward his 2017 NBA free agency, here are his top five potential landing spots.

Following a four-game sweep at the hands of the Golden State Warriors in the 2017 Western Conference semifinals, the Utah Jazz will turn their attention to a pivotal offseason for their current core.

George Hill and Shelvin Mack both come off the books this summer and Boris Diaw and Raul Neto‘s contracts for next season are non-guaranteed, but the team’s top priority will be dealing with Gordon Hayward‘s unrestricted free agency once he declines his $16.8 million player option.

Hayward is one of the biggest names hitting free agency this summer, and coming off a career year that resulted in his first All-Star appearance, he’ll have plenty of suitors around the league.

In his seventh NBA season, the 27-year-old wing averaged a career-high 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 39.8 percent from three-point range.

He served as an excellent defender for the league’s third-ranked defense, and also proved himself as a go-to offensive option in the playoffs, stepping up his numbers to 24.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game on .441/.412/.934 shooting splits in 11 playoff games.

The Jazz will make re-signing Hayward to a five-year max deal their first order of business in free agency, but what are the best potential landing spots for the NBA’s real life Captain America? Here are Hayward’s top five free agency destinations — including a few honorable mentions who would have to clear out considerable cap space via trade to pursue this upgrade on the wing.

Honorable Mentions:  Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers