5 reasons Gordon Hayward should sign with the Indiana Pacers

Gordon Hayward can become a free agent this summer, and he is widely expected to exercise that option. Here are five reasons that Hayward should sign with the Indiana Pacers.

Gordon Hayward, the 6-foot-8 All-Star small forward who has spent his entire seven-year career playing for the Utah Jazz, can become a free agent this summer. Could the Indiana Pacers be one of the teams in the mix to sign Hayward?

Hayward has a player option for 2017-18 that would pay him $16.7 million, and it appears to be a foregone conclusion that he will opt out and test the free agent market.

Much of the talk in the rumor mill has centered around the Boston Celtics, who are coached by Brad Stevens. Stevens was Hayward’s college head coach while they were both part of the Butler University basketball program.

Stevens and Hayward have maintained a close relationship over the years, and many pundits feel that there is strong mutual interest between Hayward and the Celtics.

However, there seems to be a dark horse team emerging in the Gordon Hayward Sweepstakes, one who could pose a challenge to Boston and other suitors who are trying to secure Hayward’s services — and that team is the Indiana Pacers.

We will now present the five most compelling reasons why Gordon Hayward should consider signing with the Indiana Pacers.