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Report: Hayward to meet with Jazz, Heat, Celtics ahead of quick FA decision

Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

Gordon Hayward is about to get his first taste of unrestricted free agency, but he isn't looking to draw out the process any longer than necessary.

Hayward plans to meet with the three teams on his radar - the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, and incumbent Utah Jazz - in the first few days of the free-agent moratorium starting Saturday, and make a decision on where to sign shortly thereafter, sources told Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune.

The All-Star swingman will meet with the Heat at some point on Saturday, and the Jazz on Monday, sources told Jones. There's no word on when he plans to meet with the Celtics, who are reportedly trying to land both him and Paul George.

Hayward is coming off a career season in which he averaged 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and one steal while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 39.8 percent from 3-point range.

All three teams are expected to offer him a maximum contract, but the Heat and Celtics can only offer him four-year deals. The Jazz can sign him for five, but were denied the chance to offer him a super-max contract when he was shut out of the three All-NBA teams last month.

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