Sacramento Kings terminate Chuck Hayes contract after failed physical

Chuck Hayes. AFP file photo

SACRAMENTO—Chuck Hayes, who last week was found to have a heart abnormality in a stress test, had his NBA contract terminated by the Sacramento Kings on Monday after failing a team physical.

Hayes, who played his first six NBA seasons with the Houston Rockets, signed a four-year free agent deal worth $21.3 million with the Kings 10 days ago.

“This morning, in one of the most heartbreaking moments of my professional or personal life, Chuck Hayes was notified that he failed his physical exam with the Sacramento Kings,” Kings general manager Geoff Petrie said.

“Subsequent to that, the contract signed on December 9 has been voided.”

Petrie said Hayes asked the team to make no further comment.

Hayes had undergone more testing after last week’s findings before the decision to void his deal was made. He did not play in Sacramento’s pre-season opener last Saturday at Golden State.

In six NBA seasons with the Rockets, Hayes averaged 3.4 points and 4.7 rebounds a game.