Report: Charlotte Hornets sign Utah RFA Gordon Hayward to max offer sheet

The Charlotte Hornets have signed Utah Jazz restricted free agent Gordon Hayward to a maximum four-year offer sheet, per Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.

According to Wojnarowski, Hayward would make just under $16 million per year on the deal:

Charlotte has agreed to a 4-year, $63M maximum offer sheet with Utah RFA Gordon Hayward, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 9, 2014

Utah has made it clear that they plan on matching any offer to Hayward - which makes it very likely that Hayward will return to the Jazz when all is said and done:

Utah's insisted it will match any offer sheet for Hayward, but bold move out of MIchael Jordan. Charlotte is desperate for talent infusion.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 9, 2014

The 24-year-old Hayward averaged 16.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game last season. It was a "next step" type leap for Hayward, garnering him a lot of attention during this 2014 NBA free agency period.

Thus, the Charlotte Hornets' offer - which also would include some very player-friendly terms for Hayward:

Charlotte offer sheet for Gordon Hayward expected to include player option on fourth year, and a trade kicker, league sources tell Yahoo.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 9, 2014

Yet, in the end, the point may be moot:

Jazz prepared for possibility of max sheet for Hayward and remain unwavering about revelation it's coming: They plan to match and keep him.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 9, 2014

Stay tuned to Chat Sports for the latest on this story and more surrounding the 2014 NBA free agency period.