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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
Apr 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) celebrates his game-winning shot with teammates forward Joe Ingles (2) and forward Gordon Hayward (20) in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Johnson’s buzzer-beater downed the Clippers 97-95. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Utah Jazz

One thing stood out as the clock wound down in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals in Salt Lake City: As great a season as the Utah Jazz had in 2016-17 despite their injury woes, and as young as this core still is, the Golden State Warriors aren’t going anywhere.

The path through the West isn’t going to get easier, even if internal development and improved health helps the Jazz catch up to the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets near the top of the Western landscape. Re-signing with Utah means accepting the fate of life in a Warriors-ruled conference and embracing that uphill battle for the prime of Hayward’s career.

Maybe we’re reading too much into this, but when Jazz fans chanted “GOR-DON HAY-WARD!” at the end of Game 4, being greeted with a peace sign was less than encouraging.

There are plenty of reasons to stay with the team he’s spent his entire seven-year NBA career with. He just earned his first All-Star appearance there, his team won a playoff series, Rudy Gobert is on the rise, and he can earn an extra $46 million compared to signing with another team, since Utah can offer a five-year, $179 million deal even if he falls short of an All-NBA selection.

Hayward is the face of the Jazz franchise, his rise to stardom came in Utah, those fans are extremely loyal and he can make the most money by staying put.

But even though no one would be surprised to see him re-up with the Jazz for the long haul, there’s one team that could be a serious threat as a free agency destination thanks to the Eastern Conference advantage and its current status as a contender.