Dash Posted December 1, 2011 Report Share Posted December 1, 2011 (edited) Free agent forward Chuck Hayes has five teams expressing strong interest in him and his agent told FOX 26 Sports Hayes could be ready to make a decision by the weekend. "The teams that are involved with Chuck Hayes are the Portland Trailblazers, the Toronto Raptors, the Houston Rockets, the Sacramento Kings and the Minnesota Timberwolves," Calvin Andrews said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. "That's our focus right now." Andrews said he's had two conversations with Rockets general manager Daryl Morey and is expecting to speak with him again on Thursday. Andrews said the negotiations have reached the serious stage. "I would say we have agreements on ranges with some people," Andrews said. Free agents cannot sign contracts until Dec. 9. Andrews was asked what he and his client need to do next. "Take final offers and make a decision," Andrews said. "I can see us having an idea what he wants to do in the next 48 hours." http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/sports/nba/111201-five-teams-in-the-hunt-for-chuck-hayes Would love to bring back the Chuckwagon but if he is too much of a hit to our cap space in 2012, it might be best to part ways but if we head into the season without a legitimate starting center we're kind of screwed. Hayes reportedly declined a $5 million one year deal from New York this morning. Edited December 1, 2011 by Dash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChosenOne Posted December 2, 2011 Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 Well declining a one year deal is expected because I'm sure he has plenty of multiple year deals on the table including one from Houston. But I do agree with Zee if he is asking for to much let him walk. IMO he's not worth a starting center salary, but some team will probably will end up giving him that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Built Ford Tough Posted December 2, 2011 Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 I love how Toronto's name is thrown around in connection to pretty much any free agent. Why on earth would Toronto, who already have Ed Davis, Amir Johnson, Andrea Bargnani, James Johnson and Linas Kleiza who can all play the power forward spot? Not to mention having Valanciunas coming over next season (since Hayes would want more than a 1 year deal). At least with the Gasol, Chandler and Nene rumors, it makes some sense from a fit standpoint. This one just makes absolutely no sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dash Posted December 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 (edited) Well declining a one year deal is expected because I'm sure he has plenty of multiple year deals on the table including one from Houston. But I do agree with Zee if he is asking for to much let him walk. IMO he's not worth a starting center salary, but some team will probably will end up giving him that. I disagree, I would be more than willing to resign Chuck to a $15 million 3 year deal (remember quality centers are hard to come by) but it hurts our chances in the 2012 free agency. While we probably won't come out with any of the big names (Dwight, etc) but there won't be a better chance for Houston to land a superstar and if the price to pay is to lose Chuck Hayes then so be it. Woj did say after the trade deadline that he would be surprised if Houston didn't land a superstar by 2012. I love how Toronto's name is thrown around in connection to pretty much any free agent. Why on earth would Toronto, who already have Ed Davis, Amir Johnson, Andrea Bargnani, James Johnson and Linas Kleiza who can all play the power forward spot? Not to mention having Valanciunas coming over next season (since Hayes would want more than a 1 year deal). At least with the Gasol, Chandler and Nene rumors, it makes some sense from a fit standpoint. This one just makes absolutely no sense. Except Chuck Hayes isn't a power forward (well that was where he started out but he's been great as the Rockets' starting center the past few years) and could be the Raptors' cheaper answer for a center and allow Bargnani to slide over to the 4. A young team like Toronto could have some use for a guy like Hayes whose in the Shane Battier type mold with his intangibles, veteran leadership (he was the Rockets co-captain btw), etc. You were saying that the Raptors should bring in a defensive center to mentor Jonas Valanciunas, well don't look any further than Chuck Hayes who IMO is one of the best technical defenders in the NBA. Its a shame this guy wasn't 3 inches taller. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6f5Uyu6Dv4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiW1S7rD3Y0 Edited December 2, 2011 by Dash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Built Ford Tough Posted December 2, 2011 Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 (edited) I get that Hayes played center, but he is not a true center. The Raptors want to pair Bargnani up with a legitimate center, not an undersized one. If they wanted an undersized center, they would just play Amir Johnson there, since they are basically the same size. Hayes is listed at 6'6 and around 235-240 pounds while Amir is listed as 6'9 and 210-215 pounds, but, according to him and Raptor reporters/analysts/beat writers he has gained around 15 pounds, so that puts him at around 225-230. It makes no sense at all for the Raptors to go and spend the amount of money that it is speculated Hayes will be getting when they have guys like Johnson and Davis who do pretty much the same thing. If he comes on a cheap, short term contract, by all means sign him, but that doesn't seem to be the case. That isn't to say that Hayes isn't a good role player or defender, because he is, but he doesn't make sense for the Raptors given their current roster. He makes much more sense for a team like OKC or Boston (assuming Davis is on the outs, which I seem to recall reading). If they really want to sign somebody to be a veteran leader and what not, they will just bring Reggie Evans back for cheaper than what it would cost to sign Hayes. He already has the respect of the young players on the team and does similar things on the floor as Hayes, although he isn't nearly as good of a defender (but a much, much better rebounder). As for whole Valanciunas mentor thing, I don't believe I said that I think they should bring one in (I may be wrong, though). I was just saying that as a potential justification for going out and overpaying for a guy like Chandler. It wouldn't hurt, but I wouldn't be signing a player for that specific role, especially since Casey is very good at working with defensive big men himself. I just think that all of these agents are throwing out the Raptors names for nothing more than to try and create a market for their clients. They know they have money to spend (should they choose to) and it is no secret that they want to try Bargnani at the 4. It doesn't mean I really buy it, though. Colangelo seems pretty set on the plan to go forward this season with pretty much the same roster as last year and add another piece through the draft. He basically confirmed that again earlier today. Edited December 2, 2011 by Built Ford Tough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dash Posted December 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 ^Gotcha. And its not much of a surprise but it appears Chuck's preference is to remain in Houston. "Free agent Chuck Hayes and his agent will consider all offers, but if it's up to the power forward, he'll re-sign with the Houston Rockets. "I think we'll probably make the decision without taking visits (beginning Dec. 9)," Calvin Andrews tells the Houston Chronicle. "I think the Rockets are the priority. I think it comes down to what makes sense economically, what makes sense basketball wise to him. He just wants to make sure he gets the right situation, whether it is quicker or longer. I don't have a package from the Rockets, yet." According to the newspaper, Andrews said Portland, Minnesota, Sacramento and Toronto have shown interest in Hayes." http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/features/rumors?date=20111202&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2ffeatures%2frumors%3fdate%3d20111202#23191 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChosenOne Posted December 3, 2011 Report Share Posted December 3, 2011 I disagree, I would be more than willing to resign Chuck to a $15 million 3 year deal (remember quality centers are hard to come by) but it hurts our chances in the 2012 free agency. While we probably won't come out with any of the big names (Dwight, etc) but there won't be a better chance for Houston to land a superstar and if the price to pay is to lose Chuck Hayes then so be it. Woj did say after the trade deadline that he would be surprised if Houston didn't land a superstar by 2012. Yes quality centers are hard to come by but he is not a center. He can defend centers yes but he cant play center well enough in a manner that this team needs. With weak defenders like Martin and Scola we need a BIG man down low that can intimidate with shot blocking and aggressive play. With both him and Scola on the field we have zero aggressive and shot blocking play. With that said i would love to sign him but not at a cost of 5 mil a year. If we could get him for 3-4 mil it would be worth it imo because he is an excellent player that could come in to replace Scola when hes getting his ass kicked on defense. All this being said in the hope of us getting an actual center this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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