The Los Angeles Clippers explored a sign-and-trade deal for Gordon Hayward in 2014 when he was a restricted free agent. Hayward signed a four-year, $63 million offer sheet with the Charlotte Hornets that was matched by the Jazz.

Doc Rivers is an admirer of Hayward's game and the Clippers have long had a hole at small forward.

The Clippers won't have an easy path to max cap space to pursue Hayward as they also have to contend with the free agencies of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and J.J. Redick in 2017.