Nets Exercise Team Option for Jarvis Hayes

(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The New Jersey Nets have exercised the team option on Jarvis Hayes for the 2009-2010 season.

Here is the official release from the Nets website, njnets.com.

What does this mean from a basketball standpoint?

Well from a purely hoops standpoint Hayes gives us more flexibility and options in the front court, on the defensive side of the ball mostly.

Hayes, who is 6-8, can cover most two guards and three guards and also has the ability to cover some of the perimeter fours in the league.

Hayes also can shoot from the outside and proved that last year. Hayes, also along with Bobby Simmons, may be able to play the four in a "small ball" lineup as we saw Lawrence Frank liked to go to towards the end of last season.

Hayes also brings good leadership to the team and is often the first one out on the court getting shots up before games. He will set a good example for Terrance Williams to follow.

One more intangible Hayes brings is toughness. Through about 50% of last season Hayes was playing with a torn ligament in his thumb that was causing him endless pain.

Hayes, however, played through the pain and showed what a great teammate he is. I for one am glad to see Hayes back in New Jersey next season.

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