Nigel Hayes, we hardly knew you. In order to extend a 4-year, $78 million offer to restricted free agent Zach LaVine, the Sacramento Kings had to do some home cleaning to the roster. Hayes and his non-guaranteed contract were part of the purge as Sacramento opened up an estimated $19.5 million in room for this summer.
Hayes signed a two-year deal with the Kings on March 31, but only $55,296 of his $1.4 million salary was guaranteed for the 2018-19 season according to Spotrac.
In five games with Sacramento last season, the 23-year-old forward posted 3.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in 21 minutes per game. He is still with the Kings as part of their summer league roster in Las Vegas.
The Kings were also forced to renounce cap holds to free agents Vince Carter and Bruno Caboclo to make room for LaVine’s offer. According to multiple reports, the Chicago Bulls are expected to match Sacramento’s offer sheet and retain LaVine.
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