Heat, Celtics Interest in Gordon Hayward Reportedly Worries Jazz in Free Agency

ESPN's Marc Stein reported Friday that the Utah Jazz are worried about interest in Gordon Hayward by both the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics in free agency.

Hayward has a player option for the 2017-18 season, but opting in is unlikely since he stands to land a max contract on the open market.

The 27-year-old Hayward has improved in each of his seven NBA seasons, and he is coming off his best campaign to date.

Hayward was named to his first All-Star team in 2016-17 and finished the season with averages of 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

The former first-round pick out of Butler promises to be a hot commodity in free agency due to his two-way game and the fact that he appears to be firmly in his prime.

Both the Heat and Celtics would benefit from signing him.

Miami narrowly missed the playoffs this season, but it went 30-11 down the stretch and has a solid core highlighted by guard Goran Dragic and center Hassan Whiteside.

Boston was the top seed in the Eastern Conference before falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

In addition to boasting a roster that includes guard Isaiah Thomas and forward Al Horford, the Celtics have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft.

Utah can still offer Hayward the most money, but it was dealt a tough blow when Hayward didn't make any of the three All-NBA teams, which prevented the Jazz from being able to give him a "supermax" contract.