For more than two weeks there have been talks between the Houston Rockets and Chuck Hayes about reaching a potential deal. About a week and a half ago it was reported that Hayes and the Rockets were close to a deal and now it is finally being reported that Hayes and the Rockets have agreed to terms on a deal according to Calvin Watkins ESPN.com of.
The deal with Hayes is reportedly a one year pact for the veteran's minimum but the deal does offer some salary protection to the Rockets according to Nick Borges of ESPN.com. The salary protection means that the deal is not fully guaranteed.
Hayes is being signed for depth purposes and could possibly be used as the backup center behind Dwight Howard. Hayes is 6 foot-6 but he is a very good low post defender and will provide leadership and a strong defensive presence when he's on the floor. Right now the only person on the Rockets depth chart that would compete with Hayes for minutes at center would be Clint Capela.
Hayes previously played with the Rockets from 2005 through 2011 and was well liked in his time there. In his six seasons with Houston, Hayes averaged 4.4 points and 5.8 rebounds in 20.1 minutes per game while shooting 52 percent from the field and 60 percent from the free throw line. Hayes' 60 percent clip from the free throw line isn't great by any means, but it will immediately one of the best percentages in the Rockets frontcourt.
Hayes has never played big minutes and he certainly won't next season with the Rockets but after Houston cleared out a bunch of roster spots in the Ty Lawson trade they needed to fill them and they chose to fill this one with a veteran they were familiar with. Hayes likely won't see much time at all but the Rockets can do much worse than having him at the end of the bench as an insurance policy.
