Kings void Hayes' contract after he fails physical

The Kings voided the contract of recently acquired forward-center Chuck Hayes on Monday, saying in a release that he failed his physical.The move came four days after the Kings announced that an echo stress test performed on Hayes, 28, revealed a heart abnormality. He had not practiced or played with them since that announcement.A projected starter who signed a four-year, $21.3 million free-agent contract Dec. 9, Hayes was expected to play a key role in the Kings' offense and serve as a physical, vocal presence on defense.

"We're not going to be able to replace him," Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie told The Bee on Monday afternoon. "He was one of the best defensive frontcourt players in the league and a really unique player we thought would facilitate some offense."We'll take a look at what we can do, but it's not going to be the same."

In a statement released Monday, Petrie said notifying Hayes of the failed physical was "one of the most heartbreaking moments of my professional or personal life."Hayes has undergone further testing on his heart, but specifics about his condition have not been released.

Messages left for Hayes' agent Monday were not returned.Monday evening, Hayes posted to his Twitter account, "Thank you everyone for your prayers and support, taking the next step to get healthy and back on the court, much love."