Earlier this summer the Houston Rockets were prepared to sign Chuck Hayes to fill a need for depth in the front court and 15th roster spot.
Then Josh Smith left to join the Los Angeles Clippers and GM Daryl Morey made a series of moves signing Marcus Thornton, doing the trade to land Ty Lawson and re-signed K.J. McDaniels.
At the time many wondered why Hayes was not signed as it was assumed McDaniels was always pinpointed by Morey as a free agent the Rockets wanted to retain. Perhaps McDaniels camp asked for more than what Morey’s team was expecting or potentially the Rockets would have been willing to let him sign elsewhere if Smith had returned.