Chuck Hayes Fails Physical, Sacramento Kings Voids His NBA Contract

It looks like big man Chuck Hayes won't be playing for the Sacramento Kings after all.

Hayes signed a four-year, $21.4 million contract after the lockout ended, but failed his physical exam with the team and had his contract voided.

In his physical with the team, Hayes was found to have a heart abnormality in an echo stress test. He had undergone more testing, but it was announced that the team would void his contract.

Hayes was a guy the Kings could have used.

It's a shame that the thing that Hayes failed his physical for is the exact thing that made him a solid player.

His heart.

For years in Houston, Hayes was the smallest center in the league, but got by against bigger competition due to being tough and gritty. He didn't put up the best statistical numbers, but Hayes is a guy who does all the little things that helps teams win.

A young team like the Kings definitely could have found value in a man like Hayes, especially at the defensive end of the floor where he played with heart and never quit.

To replace Hayes in the short-term, the Kings could turn to a familiar face in Samuel Dalembert, who, ironically, they would be competing with the Rockets for.

They've already been awarded Travis Outlaw off waivers from the New Jersey Nets, thanks to the amnesty clause, but with Hayes' money off the books, they have some left to spend.

For Hayes though, his heart will eventually be the thing that gets him back into the NBA.