5 Dream Targets For Golden State Warriors In 2017 NBA Free Agency

Gordon Hayward, SF, Utah Jazz

We’ve already looked at the possibility of Iguodala leaving for greener pastures during free agency. Now let’s speculate what could hypothetically happen if Kevin Durant decided his one-year stop in the Bay Area was enough. As you can probably guess, it would be a huge shot across the bow.

As luck would have it, there’s a suitable replacement who could be available after likely declining his player option in the coming months. Gordon Hayward may not be quite on the same level as Durant, he’d be a welcomed addition to the Golden State starting five.

Better yet, he may even give the Warriors a more well-rounded talent at small forward.

Since emerging as the star of the show in Utah, Hayward has quietly worked his way up the small forward rankings. I wouldn’t put him completely in the elite category, but he’s easily one of the best all-around talents in the NBA.

Just ask the Jazz, a team that is very unlikely to let him walk this offseason.

However, if they did, the Warriors would have to be all over him. He would cost them a max contract, but money doesn’t matter in these dream scenarios. All that matters is he’d be an excellent fit for this Golden State team, especially if Durant takes his talents elsewhere.

Next: Young NBA Stars Whose Primes Are Being Wasted

When it comes down to it, Hayward may be a better option considering the fact he isn’t a player who must always have the ball in his hands like the Warriors’ current small forward.