I'm pleased
Chuck Hayes started at center for the Houston Rockets last year! In that role, he is definetly a below average NBA player. Buy Hayes will likely be the fourth big on the Kings and backing the power forward position--a completely different story. The guy is the shortest STARTING CENTER in modern NBA history, so why can't he be a high level backup power forward for the next 4 years while providing the veteran presence this team so badly needs?
Pros:
Good value at 4 years 20 million in an offseason with overpriced free agents.
Probably undervalued because his game isn't glitzy.
Relatively young at 28.
Great one on one defender against power forwards with surprising foot speed.
Does not fall for pump fakes and excellent at stripping the ball.
In no way selfish and knows his limits on offense.
Low usage player on offense and an underrated passer.
An efficient rebounder and brings intangibles that are not on the stat sheet.
A leader, great model for our youngins, and consumate professional.
Will not pout or demand minutes because he knows his role.
Cons:
Undersized even for power forwards (but actually 6'7" in shoes per Draft Express with a 6'10" wingspan).
Poor shooter and horrendous free throw stroke.
Does not provide shot blocking presence.
Note. Claiming that the Kings are throwing out too much money for Hayes and that other teams have not expressed is ignorant. Interest in Hayes has been clearly documented by at least four other teams.
Go ahead and compare Hayes with Chandler and, other than their physical profile (height and wingspan), I challenge others to reveal significant differences. NEITHER are great shot blockers. Both are great one on one defenders who understand team defense. Both are good rebounders. Both are low usage and know their limitations. Both are team players, veterans, and seem to work hard despite playing time and touches.
Hayes: 28 years old, 28 minutes a game, 8 points, 8 rebounds, 53% FG, 66% FT, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, and nearly 1 block a game--5 million per year.
Chandler: 29 years old, 28 minutes a game, 10 points, 9 rebounds, 65% FG, 73% FT, almost 0 assists, 0.5 steals, 1 turnover, and 1 block a game--???????????? per year.
So Chandler shot a significantly higher percentage from the field but he also had Nowitzki and his championship friends to space the floor. Otherwise, Chandler bsically gets you one more put back layup and one more rebound in the same minutes. Hayes is the the better passer by far, so do the math.
I agree with those that feel a high level shot blocker is an important part of any championship puzzle. I just don't trust Dalembert. His effort is inconsistent and dependent on how he's featured on offense. He demands minutes or gets upset, which is okay as long as you don't broadcast that and hurt team chemistry. He's on the wrong side of 30. His offense is limited but he seems to be the only one who doesn't know it. Lastly, Dally is not a longterm rebuilding piece, so why spend 10 million per year on a guy who has 3-4 years left at an elite level and will probably be unreliable during that period anyway (see track record). A better argument can be made to grab Chandler, but his statistics are not significantly different from Chuck Hayes, who may be as much as one third of Chandler's asking price...
And lets be realistic. The Kings core is Evans and Cousins and that will hopefully be the case for the next decade. If they play to expectations, both will need close to max contract to retain. Consider the small market and financial state of the Maloofs, while considering the longterm interests of this team. Ultimately, the rest of the guys are designed to compliment Evans and Cousins, even second tier team stars like Thornton and first round picks such as Jimmer. Hayes is an ideal COMPLIMENTARY piece and won't handcuff the Kings' cap situation in years to come.
Front Court Depth Chart:
PF: Hickson (25 minutes) /Hayes (23 minutes)
C: Cousins (30 minutes) / Thompson (23 minutes) / Whiteside (0 minutes)
That's a reasonable 4 man rotation with Whiteside as your garbage time/injury guy. I'm not in love with starting Hickson, but that would seem to be the case with the personnel since Thompson has the size to backup at center. But Hickson is what, 23 or 24, so he may just surprise us?
Also, I realize that comparing Landry and Hayes is tempting, both 6'7" big men that played for the Rockets, but that's where their similarities end. Comparing the two any further is a mental short cut IMHO.
Lastly, signing Hayes is not a return to "midget ball." Cousins has the same standing reach as Shaq. Whiteside's is slightly greater when not wearing flip flops (see last year's combine). Thompson is a full bodied 6'11" with a good wingspan and improved athleticism (really impressed at Goon Squad Classic) That's 3 6'11" or taller guys right there, which is comprable to other high level teams.