Kings extend offer to Chuck Hayes - 4 yr $20 mil

[LPKingsFan]

Even if he is, where has anyone read anything that says we are shopping JT, or that he is being traded...There is just nothing behind it whatsoever.

Hickson and JT are both RFA next offseason. If anything, Hayes is a safety net if we decide to sign and trade one of them or let one of them walk. But nothing has come out that says JT is gone right now because we have Hayes.

Right. There's a lot that needs to play out before the team makes a decision with JT or Hickson. Yes, the frontcourt got a little more crowded, but I think Hayes will play fewer minutes than Dalembert, so it won't be as bad as with Landry before. Further, I think they need to see how Hickson fits before deciding who to keep. Saying this signing makes one or the other instantly a goner isn't a jump I'm willing to make.

 

[kingofthejungle]

Sure seems like there has been a lot of reactionary "jumping" lately...

Anyway, the four man rotation of Cousins, Hickson, Thompson, and Hayes works just fine with me. If I'm the Kings, I focus on one last move that upgrades the starting small forward position. I wonder if they have explored re-signing Dalembert and packaging him with Garcia to the Hawks for Josh Smith. The Hawks are getting older and may want to make a run at going deeper in the playoffs. Dalembert allows Horford to slide down to the 4 and Horford and Garcia are old Dominican buddies.

9 Man Rotation:
Evans/Fredette.........Thomas
Thornton/Salmons
Smith.....................Greene/Honeycutt
Hickson/Hayes
Cousins/Thompson...Whiteside

And of course Smith brings some shotblocking, which a lot of folks seem to be pining over.

 

[sdballer]

Adding Chuck Hayes does not mean that JT or JJ are out, especially if Dalembert is not re-singed.

That's four players for two positions and about perfect front court depth with Whiteside as the fifth.

Hickson/Hayes
Cousins/Thompson/Whiteside

Not really perfect front court depth when non of those guys are dependable interior shot blockers

 

[Showtime]

Important to mention that Hickson is also in the last year of his deal.

And they got JJ for a reason. He's not a throw-away trade filler. Do kingsfans even watch NBA basketball?

 

[kingofthejungle]

True, I meant near-perfect in terms of minutes distribution and skill mix. Shot blocking would certainly not be a strength, but it's also unclear how Whiteside will develop.

Hickson (25 minutes) / Hayes (20 minutes)
Cousins (31 minutes) / Thompson (20 minutes) / Whiteside (0 minutes)

 

[Bricklayer]

but it's also unclear how Whiteside will develop.

and because of hwo crowded our frontcourt is, barring injury it will still be unclear 6 months from now.

 

[sidney]

and because of hwo crowded our frontcourt is, barring injury it will still be unclear 6 months from now.

As it would have been had we signed Dalembert instead of Hayes. Look for one of Hickson/JT to be traded at the (now March) deadline. Whiteside will at least be there for garbage time minutes this year, taking Darrel Jackson's time.

 

[UK_King]

Agent Calvin Andrews says he thinks Chuck Hayes will start at center for Sacramento. Confirms deal done at 4 years, $21 (full midlevel).

retweet from Jason Jones.

 

[Bricklayer]

As it would have been had we signed Dalembert instead of Hayes. Look for one of Hickson/JT to be traded at the (now March) deadline. Whiteside will at least be there for garbage time minutes this year, taking Darrel Jackson's time.

Yes it would have.

The difference being that we would have had a shotblocker/rim protector in there as the guy blocking Whiteside and pinning him to the pine. Now Whiteside still will not get time , but we will neither have that shotblocker nor have any minutes to develop the one we do have.

 

[Bricklayer]

retweet from Jason Jones.

Goodness. His agent speaking of course, but now I'm waiting for Geoff to break out the inevitable "well just have to play team defense" speech he used to make everytime he picked up a new runt back in the post Webber era.

 

[JB_kings]

retweet from Jason Jones.

Starting center? Is this high school?

 

[rainmaker]

retweet from Jason Jones.

Why does everything with this team have me feeling a little nervous. His agent should quit while he's ahead. Stop talking. Don't give West any more ideas than he already has. Don't give Chuck the expectation he's starting a center for us, and setting him up for disappointment if it doesn't happen, which it shouldn't.

I'm not high on the signing, but realize the intent. Why would Cousins guarding perimeter 4's make sense, while Hayes battles center 6" taller, in the paint? Logic says, if Chuck is starting, he'd take Daly's spot, and guard pf's. He's quick enough to do that. Having Cousins chase a guy like Dirk or Aldridge around the perimeter would be a recipe for disaster, with a 6'6" center as his safety valve.

 

[LPKingsFan]

If DMC is playing PF, does it matter that they call Hayes the center? One will guard the mobile big guys and one will guard the lumbering ones.

Also, I'm certainly not prepared to pencil in Whiteside as anything more than the 5th big man. He couldn't even get anything going in Reno consistently.

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

'Center' is just a more specific way of saying 'starting as one of the two bigs'

I'm sure the best way to describe what he will be doing is defending against the other teams best post player... which is usually going to start for the team we are playing.

And I fully expect him to start. Not that I want him too, but cmon .. this is Paul Westphal were talking about here.

Ime Udoka, Luther Head, Desmond Mason loving Paul Westphal. Chuck Hayes is the starter unless JT or Hickson blow him away in camp ... like, literally blow him away.

 

[PurpleHaze]

Starting center? Is this high school?

Have you ever heard of Wes Unseld? If not, check out his long NBA career. Bulky 6'6" to barely 6'7" superstar center for Baltimore Bullets who won both ROY and MVP in same year while going up nightly against much bigger centers like, Wilt, Russell, Lanier, Thurmond, etc. Chuck Hayes is a poor mans Wes Unseld, and that ain't too bad.

 

[JB_kings]

Have you ever heard of Wes Unseld? If not, check out his long NBA career. Bulky 6'6" to barely 6'7" superstar center for Baltimore Bullets who won both ROY and MVP in same year while going up nightly against much bigger centers like, Wilt, Russell, Lanier, Thurmond, etc. Chuck Hayes is a poor mans Wes Unseld, and that ain't too bad.

I know Wes Unseld. Chuck Hayes is no Wes Unseld.

 

[PurpleHaze]

I know Wes Unseld. Chuck Hayes is no Wes Unseld.

Glad you know your NBA history. That's why I said, "poor mans," but mainly comparing similar height.

 

[Bricklayer]

Have you ever heard of Wes Unseld? If not, check out his long NBA career. Bulky 6'6" to barely 6'7" superstar center for Baltimore Bullets who won both ROY and MVP in same year while going up nightly against much bigger centers like, Wilt, Russell, Lanier, Thurmond, etc. Chuck Hayes is a poor mans Wes Unseld, and that ain't too bad.

There are certian things you do't want to be a poor man's version of. The 6'6" center is one of them.

This development is just going to put so much extra pressure on Cousins and our perimeter guys. The perimeter guys can't get beat because there is nothign behind them. Shooting guards turn the corner and actually look donw on our "center's" head as they head to the rim. Cousins, who has enoguh probelms already, now is going to be in even bigger danger of foul trouble either tryign to block shots, which he doesn't have a great knack for, or doing some more of that silly charge drawing stuff.

 

[supamari0]

There is no way you guys are using Chuck Hayes as a center.

He was a center here in Houston because he had to, not because it was a choice. Our frontline consisted of him and Scola. And Scola, while taller, wasn't strong enough to keep up with centers. In spite of his height, Hayes was actually the better option (although it wasn't a great option).

If you guys think back a few years when Yao was healthy, Hayes rarely played the center spot. Mutombo was backing up Yao and Hayes was behind Scola at the PF spot. That's his natural position. The issue was our injury depleted frontline demanded he switch positions.

It doesn't matter what Hayes's agent said. Your coach is a fool if he uses him like that. Center isn't his natural position, period. And back when we had an actual center, he only played spot duty at center as a backup depending on the matchup. (which is how you should use someone like Hayes)

If Hayes could really play the center spot properly, Houston would have re-signed him. We don't even have a center at the moment.

This is what you want Chuck Hayes doing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiW1S7rD3Y0

http://youtu.be/wbRZZLD48B4

 

[Vlade4GM]

Stupid move.

 

[rainmaker]

There is no way you guys are using Chuck Hayes as a center.

He was a center here in Houston because he had to, not because it was a choice. Our frontline consisted of him and Scola. And Scola, while taller, wasn't strong enough to keep up with centers. In spite of his height, Hayes was actually the better option (although it wasn't a great option).

If you guys think back a few years when Yao was healthy, Hayes rarely played the center spot. Mutombo was backing up Yao and Hayes was behind Scola at the PF spot. That's his natural position. The issue was our injury depleted frontline demanded he switch positions.

It doesn't matter what Hayes's agent said. Your coach is a fool if he uses him like that. Center isn't his natural position, period. And back when we had an actual center, he only played spot duty at center as a backup depending on the matchup. (which is how you should use someone like Hayes)

If Hayes could really play the center spot properly, Houston would have re-signed him. We don't even have a center at the moment.

This is what you want Chuck Hayes doing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiW1S7rD3Y0

http://youtu.be/wbRZZLD48B4

Well, our coach has shown he's more than capable of being a fool, and playing guys out of position. After all, he did play JT at sf last year.

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

Good shot blockers and defenders... the ones you want to keep on your team, get paid.

Guys like Chandler, Dalembert, Howard, ect .. those guys are keepers.

Players like Justin Williams, Pat O'Bryant, Robin Lopez ... those guys are a dime a dozen.

Hayes is not a Dalembert replacement. Signing Hayes and losing Dalembert should not be looked at as a trade off. Hayes makes 5 mil Dally will make 10.

I want a shotblocker too. We need one. We won't win anything without one, but signing Hayes doesn't prevent us from getting one down the road when one becomes available. Maybe its Whiteside, maybe it's John Henson, maybe it's Okafor...

I still stand by the fact that Dalembert wanted out and he wasn't going to come here if the money was close to a team that he actually wanted to play for. A team like Houston.

 

[Kingster]

There are certian things you do't want to be a poor man's version of. The 6'6" center is one of them.

This development is just going to put so much extra pressure on Cousins and our perimeter guys. The perimeter guys can't get beat because there is nothign behind them. Shooting guards turn the corner and actually look donw on our "center's" head as they head to the rim. Cousins, who has enoguh probelms already, now is going to be in even bigger danger of foul trouble either tryign to block shots, which he doesn't have a great knack for, or doing some more of that silly charge drawing stuff.

No point in protecting Cousins. This could be very good for his development. If he's in good basketball shape like many are saying, he should be able to defend.

 

[iowamcnabb]

For me it doesn't matter if he starts or comes off the bench. This is a fair deal for a guy that brings toughness, consistency, defense and leadership-all major team needs. His contract and the fact he is willing to accept any role with the team allows for great flexibility both now and in the future. Can't wait for the season to start!

 

[Jkbiker]

I think Either Cousins or JT at 6'11" would be on the court at anytime as Centers

JJ Hickson 6'9" and Hayes 6'6" should be our PF depending on the opposing PF

Tall quick PF use JJ

Thick short PF use Hayes

All four are good rebounders

Use Hayes like Brockman a big banger except more minutes


Maybe start Hayes rely Cousins for offense
Use JJ for offense an JT for D off the bench

It just may work out!!

 

[SacTownKid]

There is no way you guys are using Chuck Hayes as a center.

He was a center here in Houston because he had to, not because it was a choice. Our frontline consisted of him and Scola. And Scola, while taller, wasn't strong enough to keep up with centers. In spite of his height, Hayes was actually the better option (although it wasn't a great option).

If you guys think back a few years when Yao was healthy, Hayes rarely played the center spot. Mutombo was backing up Yao and Hayes was behind Scola at the PF spot. That's his natural position. The issue was our injury depleted frontline demanded he switch positions.

It doesn't matter what Hayes's agent said. Your coach is a fool if he uses him like that. Center isn't his natural position, period. And back when we had an actual center, he only played spot duty at center as a backup depending on the matchup. (which is how you should use someone like Hayes)

If Hayes could really play the center spot properly, Houston would have re-signed him. We don't even have a center at the moment.

This is what you want Chuck Hayes doing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiW1S7rD3Y0

http://youtu.be/wbRZZLD48B4

Exactly, and the Kings have had issues with exact players he's been know to make life hell for. Great pickup.

 

[SacTownKid]

Good shot blockers and defenders... the ones you want to keep on your team, get paid.

Guys like Chandler, Dalembert, Howard, ect .. those guys are keepers.

Players like Justin Williams, Pat O'Bryant, Robin Lopez ... those guys are a dime a dozen.

Hayes is not a Dalembert replacement. Signing Hayes and losing Dalembert should not be looked at as a trade off. Hayes makes 5 mil Dally will make 10.

I want a shotblocker too. We need one. We won't win anything without one, but signing Hayes doesn't prevent us from getting one down the road when one becomes available. Maybe its Whiteside, maybe it's John Henson, maybe it's Okafor...

I still stand by the fact that Dalembert wanted out and he wasn't going to come here if the money was close to a team that he actually wanted to play for. A team like Houston.

One of these things is not like the others.

 

[rainmaker]

One of these things is not like the others.

Daly is Hatian. Dwight and Chandler are American?

 

[SacTownKid]

I think Either Cousins or JT at 6'11" would be on the court at anytime as Centers

JJ Hickson 6'9" and Hayes 6'6" should be our PF depending on the opposing PF

Tall quick PF use JJ

Thick short PF use Hayes

All four are good rebounders

Use Hayes like Brockman a big banger except more minutes


Maybe start Hayes rely Cousins for offense
Use JJ for offense an JT for D off the bench

It just may work out!!

I agree!

The bottom line is Hayes is with Cousins and you can call them what you want, you put Hayes on whoever needs to be slowed down or stopped. Hayes defense is off the charts, he's one of the best most versatile defenders in the league.

 

[SacTownKid]

Daly is Hatian. Dwight and Chandler are American?

Eh, close. I'll give you a hint, starts with a T ends with an ALENT.