Catching Up With Jarvis Hayes

While here in Atlanta, we caught up with Jarvis Hayes, the former Net who somehow doesn’t have a job in the NBA right now.

Hayes is a good shooter, willing defender and good teammate. Everyone speaks highly of him. Yet he’s out of work but not waiting around.

He said he’s training to stay in shape because he knows his phone could ring any time, especially from a team in contention that needs a veteran that can help them.

The Nets have a salary cap hold on Hayes that they’ve tried to use in trades, including the failed four-team deal for Carmelo Anthony. They don’t own Hayes’ rights so he can sign wherever he wants.

Here’s our interview with him:

Are you playing anywhere this season?
JH: “I’m not playing anywhere now. But there’s interest from a few teams as has been the case for awhile.”

Would you go overseas like Josh Boone did?
JH: “Most definitely!!!! You never close doors that give you options. I had and still have teams that call regularly from overseas.”

Did you come close to joining any NBA team?
JH: “Yes, the Knicks called on the first day of free agency and Chicago and San Antonio were very interested. San Antonio invited me to camp.

Do you think something could happen this season with the NBA?
JH: “Most definitely, I can’t put a percentage on it though.”

How can a proven shooter not be in the NBA?
JH: “I don’t know. I guess it’s just part of the business. It also didn’t help that I missed almost half of last year.”

What have you been doing? What are you doing?
JH: “I’ve been between Charlotte and ATL training keeping in shape. “