Last week, ESPN's Marc Stein reported that the Miami Heat are a team, along with the Boston Celtics, that worry the Utah Jazz regarding their free-agent, Gordon Hayward.

The interest between the Heat and Hayward could be mutual as Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald writes: "A source connected with Hayward said this morning that Hayward now has legitimate interest in the Heat."

The Jazz are desperate to retain Hayward and are expected to offer him a five-year, $175.4 million contract on July 1. If Hayward leaves the Jazz, he can get a four-year deal worth $130.3 million. It should be noted that Hayward will likely have a player option for the fourth season, should he leave the Jazz, which would allow him to return to free agency in 2020.

The three-year difference between staying with the Jazz and signing with another team is just $2.72 million over that time, which is nominal. That number would decrease if he signed with the Heat as there are no state taxes in Florida.

The Heat, along with the Celtics, easily have enough financial salary-cap flexibility with their roster to offer Hayward a max contract, which is why the Jazz should be worried about losing their best player in July.

-- Nick Silva