According to Gordon Gross of Denver Stiffs, 12-year NBA veteran Chuck Hayes will join both the front office and coaching staff of the Denver Nuggets:
League source tells Denver Stiffs that the Nuggets have hired former player Chuck Hayes as an entry level staff assistant.
— Denver Stiffs (@denverstiffs) September 8, 2016
Hayes will help both the front office and coaching staff.
— Denver Stiffs (@denverstiffs) September 8, 2016
1250 AM Sports Talk added that Hayes will help with player development:
@BretBearup @c_hayes44 Chuck in new role w/ Nuggets in Player Development and in Front Office when Nuggs on road pic.twitter.com/rIRYPUKOdu
— 1250 AM Sports Talk (@1250SportsTalk) September 8, 2016
As an NBA player, Hayes never permanently found a starting role, but he was well-known as a tough-as-nails player, despite his size disadvantage. At 6’6″, Hayes is the shortest center in NBA history. For his career, Hayes averaged 3.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in 18.3 minutes per game on 49.7% shooting from the field. Even with his 6’6″ frame, Hayes was able to be an excellent post defender, rarely letting his opponents establish position.
