NBA Rumors: 3 Players that are currently being linked with the Miami Heat

#2 Gordon Hayward

Gordon Hayward has struggled during his two years with the Celtics

Gordon Hayward has endured a miserable two years in Boston, although there are still some around the league that believe that he could rekindle the form he showed during his time with the Jazz.

In order to land Hayward, the Heat would need to include Hassan Whiteside or Goran Dragic in a potential trade, and Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel suggests a deal could happen due to the Celtics' desire to offload the remaining two years of Hayward's contract

The Heat, of course, were one of three free-agency finalists for the former Utah forward that year (2017). The question now, getting beyond whether the Heat would even have the commensurate trade chips, is the $32.7 million owed Hayward next season and his player option for $34.2 million in 2020-21.

While the preferred approach from the Celtics likely would be a big-ticket player in return such as Anthony Davis, a trade for Hassan Whiteside or Goran Dragic, or both, could get Boston off Hayward's money a year earlier.

Hayward played 72 times this season, averaging 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.