Source: Hayward declines player option, now a free agent

SALT LAKE CITY » Gordon Hayward is officially a free agent.

The Utah Jazz forward has declined the player-option final year on his contract as expected and will now test the market as an unrestricted free agent, said a person with knowledge of the situation.

Hayward, a seven-year veteran, is one of the marquee names available this offseason and will likely command a max deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press Thursday on condition of anonymity.

The Jazz have made it clear that re-signing Hayward is the No. 1 priority for the offseason, and his departure would be an enormous blow to the recent progression of the franchise. The Celtics are widely considered his top pursuer with Hayward’s college coach Brad Stevens at the helm. The ability to win will be one of the key factors for Hayward and the Celtics are coming off a trip to the Eastern Conference finals as the No. 1 playoff seed in the East. The Miami Heat are also in the mix. “Every fiber of our collective being and soul of the Utah Jazz want him back,” general manager Dennis Lindsey said.

Hayward just concluded the most productive season of his career that included his first All-Star selection, career-highs in points and rebounds per game and leading the franchise to the playoffs for the first time since 2012. He averaged 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists and pushed the Jazz to the second round after not winning a playoff game since 2010.

Source: Pelicans, Holiday to meet

NEW ORLEANS » Guard Jrue Holiday and the New Orleans Pelicans have scheduled a meeting for midnight Friday when NBA free-agency begins, a person familiar with the situation said.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because the Pelicans and Holiday, who is an unrestricted free agent, have not publicly disclosed their plans.

The 27-year-old Holiday has spent the past four seasons with New Orleans since being acquired in a trade with the Sixers Philadelphia, where he spent his first four seasons. Holiday averaged 15.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 67 games last season.

Source: Durant declines

OAKLAND » Kevin Durant declined to opt in for the second year of his contract with Golden State and will become an unrestricted free agent, an expected move for the NBA Finals MVP who said he plans to do his part to keep the core of the champion Warriors intact to chase more titles.

When the season ended, Durant made it clear he plans to stay with the Warriors.