Hoops Habit
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2017 NBA Free Agency: 5 players in need of a change of scenery

By Tevin Williams

November 21, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
November 21, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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April 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) controls the ball against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first 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) controls the ball against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Gordon Hayward

Gordon Hayward’s next few seasons should be the best of his career. Last season, he averaged career-highs in points (21.9) and rebounds per game (5.4), and made his first NBA All-Star appearance. He plays both sides of the floor well and just turned 27 years old, so teams are going to go all in for Hayward.

The Utah Jazz made a lot of improvements last season, as they finished fifth in the West and won 51 games. They beat a Blake Griffin-less Los Angeles Clippers team in seven games in the first round of the playoffs, because of the clutch play of Joe Johnson. Then, Utah was reminded of just how far behind they are of top-tier teams in the West. They were swept by Golden State in the second round, losing every game by double digits.

The Boston Celtics seem to have the best odds of signing Hayward. Boston’s coach, Brad Stevens, coached Hayward at Butler. Not to mention that Boston finished first in the Eastern Conference last season, and adding Hayward to Isaiah Thomas and Al Horford could be enough to challenge Cleveland in the East.

Boston also has enough assets that they can trade for another star player in addition to signing Hayward in free agency. If they could somehow pull that off, Boston may have a path to the NBA Finals, even with LeBron James still residing in Cleveland. Hayward should consider joining Boston in the weaker East, because Utah won’t be able to challenge San Antonio or Golden State next season.